Recommendation 1

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada work with industry, provincial and territorial governments, and Aboriginal leaders to ensure skills development programs meet the needs of employers and employees.

Current federal programming for skills development should also be reviewed to ensure that the programs offered to northerners actually match the skills in demand by employers, particularly in the natural resources sector, which is the largest employer in northern remote communities.

Recommendation 2

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada assess whether the Knowledge Infrastructure Program has adequately met the infrastructure needs related to educational institutions located in northern remote communities, whether this program should be renewed and whether new funding should be allocated.

Recommendation 3

The Government of Canada must ensure that in northern remote communities projects funded by its skills development programs meet the following criteria: they are developed on the basis of a strong partnership with local stakeholders and Aboriginal Peoples, being community, education or industry representatives, and they are more flexible to adapt to the specific circumstances of each community.

Recommendation 4

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada provide more labour market information aimed at high school students in northern remote communities, such as information on job opportunities in their region and on the benefits of obtaining a high school diploma and post-secondary degree (e.g., apprenticeship program or college or university education). This awareness-raising campaign should not only use traditional means of raising awareness but also more innovative ways to reach youth, such as visits to schools and community centres by Service Canada or private  sector representatives or a public information campaign in local or social media.

Recommendation 5

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada assess specifically whether the Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program meets the needs of northern remote communities and, if necessary, increase funding in these regions through  this program.

Recommendation 6

The Committee recommends that Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada examine the report, “Nurturing the Learning Spirit of First Nations Students,” and implement the priority recommendations, taking into account that Canada is in an era of fiscal restraint.

Recommendation 7

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to facilitate the creation of partnerships between governments, industries, educational institutions and Aboriginal communities in northern remote regions to create innovative skills development programs that respect Aboriginal culture, are of interest to Aboriginal students and motivate them to continue their secondary and post‑secondary studies.

Recommendation 8

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada, in cooperation with provincial and territorial governments, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, Aboriginal communities and schools, continue to support the creation of more effective transition programs for students in northern remote communities so they can adapt more easily to their new environment when they leave their reserve to continue their secondary and post-secondary studies.

Recommendation 9

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada support programs funded by the private sector that offer work placements and training to Aboriginal Peoples living in northern remote communities, for example through a tax credit or other measure.

Recommendation 10

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada consider options for working with internet service providers, businesses, Aboriginal Peoples, governments, users, and other interested parties to better facilitate the affordability, reliability, and speed of broadband available for northern remote areas.

Recommendation 11

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to invest in public-private partnerships that provide residents in northern remote communities with skills development programs that prepare them for the job opportunities in their communities.

Recommendation 12

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to facilitate public-private partnerships and the sharing of best practices as well as support private sector initiatives that allow young people in northern remote communities to actually see a link between skills development and work (e.g., hand-on training, mentoring programs, internships, co-op programs, in-house skills training, etc.).