Glen Abernethy

WHEREAS the Government of Canada created the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnerships (ASEP) program in 2003 to increase Aboriginal participation in the Canadian workforce;

AND WHEREAS the ASEP program has been a major success in the Northwest Territories, the Yukon and Nunavut in moving Aboriginal Northerners from social assistance, unemployment and underemployment to full-time, well-paying jobs;

AND WHEREAS the Mine Training Society, Building Inuvialuit Potential Society and the Dehcho First Nations have used $21.5 million in contributions from the ASEP program to assess, train and...

To the Minister, thank you so much for that response. I think it’s important that people know that this program is going to continue to exist. I know there are a lot of people who are accessing this program who are very pleased with the supports they’re getting. Could the Minister tell me how much the program is and how it’s administered within the Department of HR?

Thank you, Mr. Polakoff My clock shows that it’s after 2:00 p.m., so, recognizing the clock, I will now rise and report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize a few people joining us in the gallery today on behalf of the Mine Training Society: Hilary Jones, the general manager, Rachelle Beaulieu, Marilyn Hardisty, Jessica Enzoe Riddle, and Kelly Arychuk, the chair.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Next on my list is Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Minister McLeod. Next on my list is Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Next on my list is Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. McLeod. Mr. Polakoff.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In the Minister’s opening comments he talked about a lot of the good things that the Housing Corp were doing and clearly a lot of good work is being done there and a lot of progress in the last couple of years. The Regular Members had a lot of concerns from the beginning, but I think a lot of progress has been made. One of the areas that I’ve been asking about is flexibility in our programs, things like PATH and CARE and whatnot. In the Minister’s opening comments he did indicate that there is some flexibility and some alternate intake dates for some of these programs. I...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to raise this motion strongly urging the Government of Canada to develop and announce a successful strategy for Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership program, also known as ASEP. This will ensure that local partners like the Mine Training Society, Building Inuvialuit Potential Society and the Dehcho First Nations can continue to train Aboriginal Northerners for employment in the mine, transportation and construction and petroleum exploration sectors.

The federal government created ASEP in 2003 to meet a very real need specifically to increase...