Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Speaker, I am very proud to announce the first graduation for our new Corrections Northern Recruitment Training Program. The event will be held on June 5th , at 2:00 p.m., at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre auditorium, and I invite all Members of the Legislative Assembly to attend. This six-week program provides the basic skills Northerners need to be eligible for entry level jobs in our correctional facilities in Hay River, Yellowknife, Fort Smith and Inuvik. It is a big part of our long-term Northern Recruitment Plan. We want to provide more opportunities to northern residents and encourage them to consider careers in our justice system. This maximizes opportunities and strengthens the role of communities in prevention and enforcement, especially in dealing with chronic offenders. In total, 12 aboriginal and long-term residents of our Territory will graduate from the program. They have more than just basic knowledge of how to work in corrections; they truly understand what it’s like to work in NWT communities. They’re uniquely qualified to support the reintegration of our offenders back into their communities. This recruitment program ideally positions these Northerners for employment within the correctional service. We are immediately proceeding with staffing actions to fill existing vacant positions for corrections officers and youth officers. All graduates are eligible and certainly encouraged to apply. Successful candidates will be hired into jobs that will help with projects like the elder wilderness camp near Fort Good Hope, programs for girls at risk in Inuvik, our full-time adult male camp near Fort Smith, and our special Reintegration Program in the South Mackenzie region.

Mr. Speaker, this is an example of our department taking innovative steps to ensure our workforce reflects the people and communities we serve. We’re strengthening awareness of our northern identity and uniqueness, and we’re building partnerships with community leaders. I often meet with community leaders who have great ideas about how to improve reintegration services and want to see more local people working in our corrections system. This program will continue to assist us in finding interested, qualified northern staff. Our recruitment approach is accessible, relevant and enhances our existing programming. It’s truly made in the North for Northerners, and I look forward to meeting the new graduates at the ceremony. Please join me in congratulating them on their achievements. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.