Thank you, Mr. Chair.
The committee has heard about the severe shortage of skilled labour in a great many regions across the country. It is safe to say the situation will mean billions of dollars in losses for some industries, which, will likely mean hundreds of millions in lost revenue for the public purse.
In a brief to the committee, the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum called for a national strategy supporting the development of the next generation of skilled workers. One of the forum's missions is to influence pan-Canadian apprenticeship strategies through research, discussion and collaboration. So I think this clearly fits in that mandate. We desperately need to find solutions and ways to fill the huge gap in skilled labour.
Ms. Watts-Rynard and Mr. Mills, what explanation is there for the current government cutting the forum's support? Was the move justified?