Mr. Speaker, on February 22, a report by the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada revealed that the educational level in Canada, which already enjoys a very decent standing among the member countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the OECD, has risen considerably over the last decade.
In 1990, 43% of Canadians between the ages of 25 and 54 had completed post-secondary education, while in 1998 this figure had risen to 54%. The percentage of Canadians who had completed post-secondary education in 1996 was 48%, while the average in member countries was 23%.
The Canadian government is involved in the development and training of our youth. Whether through training or placement programs, we are aware of the importance of focusing energies and resources on equipping Canada for the challenges of the 2000s.