Mr. Conrad, you referred to programs for aboriginals. You said that the government is investing in a strategy targeting employment for youth. You also said that the objective was to help young people acquire the skills, abilities and work experience needed for a successful transition into the labour market.
However, up until last year, there was already such a program in existence, the Wapikoni Mobile program, which consisted of itinerant workshops and studios where videos and music could be created. The idea was to allow young people to acquire basic skills.
Many witnesses have told us that basic skills are essential and that they should be the starting point, before more specific job training is provided. I find it very strange that last year the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development abolished the half-million dollar subsidy for that program, when our study showed that it did a very good job of meeting the needs of young aboriginals who wanted to join the labour market.
Why was that decision taken?