Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I use my Member's statement to talk about some of the problems our youth are being subjected to today, specifically on education. I am not talking about the costs families are faced with in relocating their children to the larger centres to receive a better education, but the negative societal impact we will be encountering in the future from the disruption of family stability as a consequence of geographical relocation in pursuit of the economic independence and benefits received when living in the larger commercial areas.

Mr. Speaker, the youth that were receiving education in the smaller remote communities who are now relocated to the larger centres, because of their parents having chosen to move, are opting to quit school because of peer pressure, pressure to keep up with classmates who have had better educational foundations and support mechanisms which enable them to keep pace with the growing demands of our school curriculum. Mr. Speaker, it is an admirable trait to seek better employment or educational opportunities to ensure the well-being of the family, but we need to take into account the effect this economic displacement has to our youth.

Mr. Speaker, I have received concerns from families faced with this dilemma. It seems that there is little or no information available, or very little directly focused counselling services for parents and children, and no proactive support programs to address this issue and bring kids back into the regular school programs that they should be in. Mr. Speaker, I feel that with the growing number of remote community families relocating to the larger centres, the number of youth dropping out or refraining from enrolment will increase proportionately, therefore leading to increased social costs in areas related to youth crimes, youth justice and also many other associated costs such as those related to family violence.

Mr. Speaker, I would encourage this government to pay heed to these and other social indicators so that we can work towards addressing them promptly and possibly resolving and/or reducing these growing numbers before they become the norm of our social northern fabric. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause