Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday was the last day of school for many students in the Northwest Territories. The closing of the school year makes me reflect on educational opportunities available to people within my riding. As a territory and as a nation, we take pride in the availability of educational services available to children within our country.
Access to public education is seen by many as a fundamental right of children. Access to education opportunities for adults is not so highly praised or supported. In my riding, 40 percent of my constituents are illiterate. People within the smaller communities do not have access to ongoing adult basic education programming.
I am sure we all know that grade requirements are the qualifier that is used for hiring in many jobs. The availability of and access to adult basic education courses significantly impacts the future of the North Slave.
A suggestion that we made was to encourage the development of a comprehensive literacy strategy for the Northwest Territories. At the appropriate time, I will have questions about literacy funding in the Territory. Thank you.
-- Applause