Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Two silver and a bronze medal. That is what the Skills Canada Team NWT brought home from the Seventh Canadian Skills Competition in Edmonton in early June. Twenty high school students and apprentices from all over the Northwest Territories competed in events such as carpentry, welding, automotive service, web page design, culinary arts, and TV/video production.

Skills Canada is a non-profit organization, Mr. Speaker. Their mandate is raising awareness of trade and technology careers. Through partnerships with industry and government that promote careers to the youth of our government, this has become an extremely important aspect here in the Northwest Territories because of the high demand we have for skilled trades people in times of rapid economic growth and in growing our own workforce. This concern was raised at our Yellowknife MLAs' constituency meeting earlier this year.

The territorial Skills Canada competition took place in Fort Smith and Yellowknife this spring with 72 participants from across the Northwest Territories in a variety of trades and technology areas. Mr. Speaker, along with a host of private businesses, the Governments of Canada, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut have contributed immensely to Skills Canada NWT with finances and in-kind services.

Forty-five businesses and community organizations have contributed to the success of this year's team. The coaching and expert advice supplied by industry experts such as Steve Payne from Essentials Hair Design and Julia Tate of L'Heritage Restaurant has given the skills team a great foundation.

Representing the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker, were participants from Inuvik, Hay River, Yellowknife, and Fort Smith. Corey Ash, who works for Horvat Construction, won a silver medal in cabinet making. L'Heritage's Kimberly Novak brought home a silver medal in restaurant service when she impressed the judges with her table service. Mark Campbell, an apprentice electrician with BHP Diamonds, won a bronze medal in electrical wiring.

Mr. Speaker, while Skills Canada is developing in the Northwest Territories, I am particularly concerned that there will no longer be federal financial support. While larger jurisdictions have the businesses and financial resources to sustain Skills Canada, our high air travel expenses and small business trades sector will result in Skills Canada NWT being unable to sustain itself. A lack of federal financial support will put future Northwest Territories participation at risk.

Overall, Team NWT should be proud of their successful showing. They are great ambassadors and I hope we will be able to continue Skills Canada next year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause