Churchill MP Niki Ashton says this is an important week in the north with the opening of the new University College of the North Campus in Thompson. She says the new campus shows just how far we have come in terms of post secondary education in our region giving people the option of continuing their education here in the north.

Ashton says despite some progress there is clearly much more to do.  She says far too many schools in First Nations are overcrowded or in poor condition, per student funding is far lower in First Nations Schools than the provincial average and because of the funding cap many students aren’t able to continue their post secondary education.

Ashton adds we have one of the youngest regions in the country and if we can provide the educational opportunities that people deserve we have almost unlimited potential.  She calls on the Federal government to make a real commitment to education for northern and Aboriginal people.