Statement made on 22 November 2006 by Senator Willie Adams (retired)
Hon. Willie Adams:
Honourable senators, my question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate. It has to do with the cutbacks to the literacy program, especially in Nunavut.
After settling the land claim, we have been upgrading more people to do the work of the Nunavut government.
The education system in the territories began in 1950. At that time, we had a typical program in the Arctic. It was at that time, in 1950, the government stepped in. Some communities only offered up to grade 6 or grade 8. Now, because of regulations, we have education that must go up to grade 12.
At that time, we had schooling up to grade 8, for people who do not want to travel to other communities. To go to grade 12, they had to go to Churchill, Manitoba, Yellowknife or Iqaluit. Today, if they want a job, they must have grade 12. Will the government put more money into literacy programs in Nunavut?
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