November 17, 2009

BLADERUNNERS YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

J. Kwan: Our community had a dream 15 years ago, a dream of inclusivity, a dream to give voice to at-risk youth in a tangible way, a dream that is rooted in the belief that everyone should be given the opportunity to maximize their potential. This dream became reality for some 3,000 young people under a program called BladeRunners.

Since 1994 BladeRunners has provided support, helped place participants at construction sites and secured training opportunities for them. GM Place was the first private partner in this program. One of the early participants was Chris Cardinal, who started with the program in 1996. Today he is a Red Seal–certified cement mason with BOSA Construction.

Working together, developers, labour unions and civil society organizations have proven that at-risk youth ages 15 to 30 will succeed if given the opportunity. With an 88 percent job placement rate, 32 percent female participation rate and 66 percent aboriginal participation, BladeRunners is an incredible success story.

In the late 1990s BladeRunners was given the PEPNet award in Washington D.C., for excellence in youth employment programs. Today BladeRunners is sought after by cities like New Orleans, Calgary and Toronto as a model for community economic development.

I would like to recognize the founders of the program — people like Jim Green, who conceptualized it, and Garry Jobin, who has been a tireless advocate for young people in the Downtown Eastside. Garry has vouched for the participants in court, he has shown up at their doorsteps to make sure they get to work on time, and his cell phone is on 24 hours a day.

Recognition is also in order for all the partners, job coordinators and the BladeRunners who went through the apprenticeship and got their trades training. I would like to ask all members of the House to join me in thanking them for their hard work, dedication and commitment and for the wonderful success of the program over the last 15 years and, hopefully, many more years to come.