Mr. Speaker, job creation is a priority for this government. We need jobs for northerners today and we need them for our children in the future. The private sector is the primary vehicle for job creation, and we have undertaken a number of initiatives to encourage private sector development. One initiative is the Northern Employment Strategy announced by the Finance Minister during the last session. It is designed to support northern businesses and communities in employing summer students, youth, social assistance recipients and unemployed northerners.
Sixteen million dollars in new funding was allocated to implement the strategy this year. Subject to the approval of this House, an additional $16 million will be allocated next year. In order to efficiently implement the strategy throughout the regions, funding was allocated to existing programs in Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Municipal and Community Affairs, and Education, Culture and Employment. The $8 million given to Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development topped up the budgets of three programs to $13 million - the Business Development Fund, the Grants to Small Business Program and the Community Initiatives Program.
Mr. Speaker, early indications show that these programs are generating positive results. Over a period of five months, from April to August, the department has invested $5.8 million in northerners. This investment, along with client equity, debt financing and financing from other sources, has resulted in projects valued at over $21 million. Program investments to date are equal to those normally made in a year. Investments to date leave a balance of just over $7 million for the remainder of the fiscal year. Utilization of the programs requires that clients, whether they be individuals or communities, come forward with project proposals. The departmental regional superintendents from the three departments implementing this strategy work closely together to offer clients single window access to this funding. Decisions to fund are made at the regional level in keeping with my commitment to quick turnaround of project applications.
Based on project information provided by clients to date, 12,460 work weeks of full-time employment and 4,913 weeks of part-time employment have been created since April 1, 1997. In addition, 13,319 work weeks of full-time employment and 4,904 work weeks of part-time employment have been maintained. Jobs were saved or became more secure as a result of our investments in northern people. This equates to approximately 890 full-time jobs. Clearly these results reflect the hard work and commitment of many in the department, particularly those in the regions. Mr. Speaker, we rarely give staff enough recognition for their efforts in delivering our programs and services to the public. I thank them for a job well done. Thank you.
--Applause