Mr. Speaker, I think that small communities are great and those that live in them can enjoy a good lifestyle. However, small communities also have a lot of socioeconomic problems. Their school can offer very little variety of programs or even special education assistance for those with learning difficulties. Levels of education are improving in general. However, for the 54 percent of our population that live outside of Yellowknife, our education levels and our graduation rates are still well below the territorial average. In Fort Liard, only about 30 percent of students have graduated from high school since 1989, compared to the territorial national average of just below 70 percent.

Mr. Speaker, the population of a small community tends to be younger, has fewer job opportunities compared to Yellowknife, and most of the people living in these communities are aboriginal and have lived there since birth. This is why I'm out looking for ways to improve the quality of education, especially in Fort Liard. This is also why I am excited about the Sunchild e-training learning proposal. As I have said before, this program is working on small reserves and small communities and getting great results. They have graduation rates of over 80 percent, Mr. Speaker.

The Sunchild E-learning Community was designed to augment and support the conventional school programs. It was established to deliver quality education to high school students within the Sunchild First Nations school program using computers and Internet technology. Students become comfortable using technology and, as a result, become computer literate and competent. In turn, their achievements boost confidence and satisfaction, and encourage interest for higher education.

Mr. Speaker, I think that kids growing up in smaller communities should have an equal chance at getting a good education, getting a good job, and having a prosperous and opportunity-rich life. I want to see this government doing everything in its power to make this happen; including providing a good start with a good education. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause