I rise today to inform this Honourable House of this government's commitment to student summer employment in Newfoundland and Labrador.

A student summer job is often a young person's first exposure to the labour market. It is a great way to establish good work habits and an understanding of the value of earning a living. Recognizing this, Budget 2010 included an investment of $3.76 million towards the delivery of student summer programs for high-school and post-secondary students throughout the province.

This year, the Provincial Government funding will enable over 600 high-school level I, II and III students to secure work with not-for-profit organizations, community agencies and municipalities in approximately 480 summer recreation, heritage and community improvement projects.

In addition to supporting high-school students, the Provincial Government also assists individuals attending post-secondary institutions secure meaningful summer employment with both for-profit and not-for-profit employers.

Through the Student Work and Service Programs (SWASP), students returning to post-secondary education earn a combination of tuition and wages for their summer employment.

This combined stipend and tuition voucher brings the hourly wage for students to the new minimum wage of $10 per hour.

Last fall, we released Creating a Province of Choice: A Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador. Developed by youth, for youth, in close collaboration with business, labour, and community leaders, the strategy is aimed at countering the impacts of out-migration, strengthening the labour market and supporting the economic development of the province.

By directly supporting student summer employment, the Provincial Government is focused on creating opportunity, reducing students' debt burden and building a better future for our young people.

In total, the Provincial Government will match over 1,300 post-secondary students with employers for meaningful summer employment this year.

At this time, I also wish to thank the Community Services Council, who deliver their component of the SWASP program, and Service Canada, who have also contributed $1,000,000 to this program.

In closing, I want to wish all students a safe, enjoyable and rewarding summer.