Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, every year an average of 455 young workers under the age of 25 are injured on the job in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. These injured young workers represent 17 percent of the established Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission, WSCC, claims.
At noon on March 13, 2009, the WSCC invites the public to join them at the Yellowknife Capitol Theatre to launch their new “Don’t be a Number” TV commercials. The two English commercials feature important stories about two young men who were injured at work when they were only 22 years old. The two Inuktitut commercials feature a young worker from Nunavut who is committed to working safe and “not being a number.” These young workers have willingly shared their stories and hope their message will encourage youth to know their rights and work safe.
I invite Members, employers, labour organizations and the public to join the WSCC in their efforts to empower our northern youth with the necessary knowledge and tools to keep them safe on the job and keep them from not being a number. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.