In terms of apprenticeships and how we get people into them, 80% of the apprentices in Canada are produced by 17% of the employers. In my local of the plumbers and pipefitters in Edmonton, we have 11,000 members. We have 2,000 apprentices. When you take the retired guys out of the equation, it's about 25% apprentices. That's all we can manage. We have a list that would go around the room twice of people who would like to get into one of the pipe trades. People need to have a job. You only get a job if the employer can put you to work. If the employer can put you to work, you have a chance to be an apprentice and to have a career. The Government of Canada needs to lead from out front by saying, “Do training on my job.” You won't have to spend $10,000. You will have somebody earning and learning.
On December 6th, 2012. See this statement in context.