And some MLAs, yes, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Mr. Speaker, as I said, the government was once a leader. Unfortunately, that can no longer be said. Instead, we have left it to the private sector. Speaking from my community perspective, it is the small businesses that pick up where the government left off.

Many times they find themselves in a situation which lacks support, and it is difficult to recruit apprentices. When they do have people who are interested in the trade sector, whether it is carpentry, mechanics or other areas of apprenticeships, they find themselves lacking the necessary qualifications when it comes to education, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, that points to the fact that we need to improve on our system. Literacy, whether it is to get into an apprenticeship or go on to university education, we need to make sure we are doing work that shows it is quality and not just quantity.

Mr. Speaker, when we speak specifically about apprenticeships, I am dismayed that this government had lapsed $400,000 the previous year in the area of apprenticeships.