Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since 1988, National Action Awareness Week has been challenging Canadians in the communities where they live, to take collective action to eradicate the barriers faced by people with disabilities. Participation in the Canadian labour force for those who are between the ages of 15 and 64 years of age is 80 per cent. Among Canadians with disabilities, it is 50 per cent.

Active employment seekers in the disabled community are unemployed at a rate of 30 per cent, compared to the national figure of 10 per cent in the non-disabled population. In 1990, the average income from all sources for working age adults with disabilities was $20,710. The average income for adults without disabilities for this period was higher, at $26,210.

The GNWT affirmative action policy identifies four target groups: aboriginal people, women in management or non-traditional jobs, indigenous non-aboriginal people and people with disabilities. While aboriginal people have the first priority under the current policy, it is important to bear in mind that all four target groups are underrepresented in the workforce. We must implement strategies to include all members of our communities in employment. Affirmative action for people with disabilities means making accommodations for the disabled. This includes setting goals and timetables for increasing the representation of people with disabilities in the workplace; consulting with representatives of the disabled community; developing training initiatives that are suitable to the target population; making special efforts to contact suitable prospective employees who are disabled...

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.