Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to go back to some of the background on this. This particular program dates back to 1997. It was part of the Government of the Northwest Territories Northern Employment Strategy. It was a two-year program, and was continued for an additional year due to its success. The money for that came from the Financial Management Board, and was above the departmental budget. The program offers subsidies for employers to hire and train young students. Some 1500 students have been helped.
I certainly share the concerns Mr. Dent and other Members have expressed. I am very well aware that young people will be returning home for the summer, looking for work.
I would like to see the program continued but, as I said earlier, funding for this program had come from outside of the department. It had been provided by the Financial Management Board.
I have just come into this department and must state that while we have the opportunity for the interim appropriation, at this point I have not been able to address this issue from a financial point of view. Considering the money came from outside of the department before, I would have to take into consideration where to find the funding. Thank you.