Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In today's YK Paper, the unemployment rate in the Northwest Territories increased to 8.7 per cent, up from 7 per cent last year, fourth-highest in Canada and much higher in our small communities. This is an indicator to government's decrease in revenues and without industry, as well.
Mr. Speaker, one of the positive supporting action initiatives is the Department of Education, Culture and Employment Small Community Employment Support Program. We can all agree, without government support and without industry projects, this only increases challenges to the household income and contributes to the social family problems.
Mr. Speaker, although this program can be viewed as a small economic contributor for increased employment, the principle is making a meaningful contribution.
Mr. Speaker, later I will have questions to the Minister of ECE on program funding details. Mahsi.