Mr. Speaker, indeed in Canada today we have a concerning paradox. On the one hand we anticipate a shortage of up to a million skilled workers by the year 2010. On the other hand we know that many aboriginal workers are not fully integrated into the labour force.
The gap here is skills. That is why today I am pleased to announce the aboriginal employment and skills partnership, an $85 million program that will assist aboriginal people in gaining the skills that they need to participate in the economic development and activities in communities in and around where they live.
We hope through partnership to build 7,000 jobs for aboriginal people so that they can make a vital contribution to the Canadian economy.