Mr. Speaker, Canada is facing a critical shortage of skilled tradespeople.
In the riding of Halton, high tech companies tell me they have had to postpone growth and job creation because they simply cannot find enough skilled workers.
Jobs paying $50,000 and $60,000 a year are going unfilled. The existing skilled workforce is aging.
In Halton something is being done.
Today, December 8, leaders of business, Human Resources Development Canada, the Ontario education ministry and the region of Halton are staging a symposium aimed at developing a made in Halton solution to the problem.
The people attending this event are all dedicated to developing a program that will make it easier for young people to get apprenticeship placements.
I congratulate these organizations on their efforts which will ensure the long term viability of Canada as the place for attraction and retention of high tech business.