I certainly don't want to suggest there's nothing that we can and should do to promote choice--both access to employees by employers or choice by individuals.
I would suggest, sir, that it starts with labour market information. Canadians have a choice, and Canadians should be well informed about the labour market that we see, when making career decisions in educational pursuits and when making decisions about the kinds of occupations or sectors they would prefer.
Secondly, I want to underscore this, although it may not sound very dramatic. Through our work with other countries, I think we are very conscious of the importance of maintaining a flexible and open labour market. One of those things that are almost unnoticeable is the extent to which the labour market is unfettered and open and the entry and exit are free. This is a very important thing to preserve.
As the statistics illustrate, I would like to assert that the Canadian labour market will respond to good gainful employment and good wages. Canadians will choose jobs. Labour markets always respond to employment. It's the natural market itself.
Our immigration system can play a supportive role, as can our temporary foreign workers. I want to assure you that we are working very closely with the energy sector to help them meet the demand for employment through immigration and temporary foreign workers and here at home on the domestic side. This is a very high priority for us.