Mr. Speaker, this past weekend Kitchener—Waterloo welcomed 600 young people from across Canada who have proven they have skills of the future. They were participants in the fifth annual Canadian skills competition which ran from last Wednesday until yesterday.
This national competition offers young Canadians the opportunity to showcase their skills and abilities in trades and disciplines ranging from architecture and cabinet making to fashion and culinary arts, computer animation and auto mechanics.
In addition, some 100 young Canadians competed to determine who will be part of team Canada at the upcoming 35th world skills competition to be held this November in Montreal.
I am proud that the Government of Canada is a major sponsor of the Canadian skills competition through Canada's youth employment strategy. This event celebrates the excellence of Canada's young people.
These young people know the economic opportunities of tomorrow will be available to people with the skills and dedication they are showing in Kitchener—Waterloo today. Congratulations to all the weekend's participants.