Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with an issue that was brought to my attention by some of my constituents and may ultimately affect the youth of our territory. The issue I refer to, Mr. Speaker, is the apparent lack of northerners being hired at our diamond mines.
Mr. Speaker, I read a glowing news release from Diavik Mine on February 3rd that stated that they had exceeded the commitment they had made to this government, that there would be 66 percent northern hires at the mine. The news release stated that 74 percent of the mine employees were northern residents. I have a hard time with this figure, Mr. Speaker, as I heard from our local Hay River residents of the problems that they are encountering being hired at the mine.
I hear stories, Mr. Speaker, of local Hay River residents who were employed during the initial construction phase of the mines and then laid off and were not able to obtain further work at the mines once they went into production. These are long-time northerners coming to me, Mr. Speaker. Now let me make it clear that I am referring to both BHP and Diavik.
I am also aware of the argument that the mines subcontract out a lot of the hiring of employees to various northern firms and therein may lie the problem. Whatever is causing the problem, there are far too many stories of plane loads of workers coming directly from the South to work at the mines and then flying directly south again.
My question is who is checking up on these northern firms to determine that they are meeting the targets. Who confirms that the people hired for work at the mines are really northern residents? What checks and balances are in place?
Mr. Speaker, I am also concerned about the apparent lack of apprenticeship programs at the mines. I believe the mine should be looking at more programs designed specifically to entice our young people to remain in the North and seek gainful employment. I question what is being done in the non-impact communities to lure young people to come back and work at the diamond mines. These young people are northerners as well, Mr. Speaker. I believe we need to ask these tough questions for the sake of our children, Mr. Speaker, and the next generation of true northerners. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause