23 February 2012
Iqaluit, Nunavut
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced support for the Northern Adult Basic Education Program, an initiative that will help Northerners in all three territories take advantage of the tremendous job opportunities in their communities. He was accompanied by The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and Minister of Health.
“Our Government is committed to helping build strong, prosperous and healthy communities throughout Canada’s North,” said the Prime Minister. “By improving access to adult basic education, we are giving Northerners the tools they need to seek higher education and secure employment in sectors that contribute to Canada’s economic growth.”
The program, which is being managed by CanNor, will help ensure that more working-age adults achieve sufficient levels of literacy, numeracy and other essential skills to participate in the labour market. Initiatives under the program, which are expected to begin over the coming year, will be delivered by Aurora College, Yukon College and Nunavut College. These services and programs will improve educational capacity in communities across the North.
The new Northern Adult Basic Education Program delivers on the Government’s commitment in the 2011 Speech from the Throne, to help increase education and employment levels in the North.
