Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in recent days there has been a lot of attention on the government's proposal to end Aurora College's four-year Teacher Education Program and its two-year Social Work Diploma program.
Students of these programs were surprised by the cuts. Now they're worried about their education and job futures, while other residents are worried about how we will meet the demand for northern teachers and social workers.
Mr. Speaker, the proposed cuts touch on several issues close to the hearts of Regular Members: job creation, education, the fulfilment of our mandate, and reconciliation.
First, job creation. With the Skills 4 Success action plan, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment seeks to align NWT post-secondary education with job demand, but that is going to need to include jobs in the teaching profession projected in our 15-year job forecast to be in top demand.
Last year the Social Work Diploma program had six graduates. All of them were immediately hired or offered jobs, and all of them continued their studies towards a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work. That may be a small class, but we're a small territory, and our education system is inextricably linked to the success of our economy.
Next, education and fulfillment of the mandate. Mr. Speaker, it's our part of our mandate to expand, not to shrink opportunities of post-secondary education in northern educational institutions. I'd argue that our Student Financial Assistance program is the best in Canada, helping students pursue their education goals even when it means temporarily leaving the NWT, but if we want to strengthen our own capacity for education and for home-grown workers, like the five women currently in the social work program, we need to support quality options here at home. Mr. Speaker, there is no time like the present.
Third, reconciliation. Mr. Speaker, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada called for funding on post-secondary teacher training programs that educated teachers on integrating Indigenous knowledge into their work. The Teacher Education Program does just that.
Mr. Speaker, all 19 Members in the House want to close the skills gap. We all want to see our people working.
If the government feels that the best option for Northerners is to close these programs, Northerners must know that their elected leaders have a clear plan for how our territory will thrive without them. At this point, Mr. Speaker, I'm not seeing the plan. I'll have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.