Mr. Speaker, it’s not simply enrolment that’s the problem. A large number of people do enrol in the program, but many aren’t completing. It’s not that they’re failing out; it’s that they’re not completing. And our graduation rate, as I’ve indicated, is dropping. Next year they’re predicting seven graduates from their starting class. So obviously, something’s going on that’s making it less appealing for the students to complete, or something along those lines.
In addition to promoting, I also think it would be important to dig into the program to find out what is the barrier to completion. Is it money? Is it daycare? What is it that’s causing these individuals to
withdraw from the program prior to completion? Again, once you’ve started it — you’ve invested that time, and you’ve begun your education — it’s very unfortunate to leave early and not finish.
On top of that, we as Northerners need these individuals to succeed, and we need to offer them meaningful employment in the health care system.
So in addition to promoting, what else are you going to do to find some of the solutions to keep these people in school?