Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it will be with pleasure that I will table the annual report of the Science Institute of the Northwest Territories for the fiscal year 1990-91 at the appropriate time today.
Mr. Speaker, in preparing its annual report, the Science Institute recognizes the need to preserve our natural resources and has chosen to use recycled paper for this report.
As you are aware, Mr. Speaker, the Science Institute operates research centres in Inuvik, Igloolik and Iqaluit. During the past fiscal year over 400 researchers, involved in some 180 separate research projects, received assistance at the research centres. Through the efforts of the Science Institute, more and more results of such research are being provided to the citizens of the Northwest Territories.
Cross cultural science camps for students nine to 13 years of age, initiated by the Science Institute in 1989, continued in 1990-91 with a repeat of the camp near Rae. Mr. Speaker, I wish to draw the attention of Members to the fact that the science camps have been recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, as a significant event of the world decade of cultural development, 1988 to 1997. The camps bring together centuries of traditional knowledge and modern scientific methods in the minds and lives of our young people.
Mr. Speaker, the Science Institute inaugurated a technology development program in December 1990. The thrust of the program is to seek technologies which can be adapted to the needs of Northerners and to develop technologies which may be exported to other polar nations and elsewhere. Work on alternate energy projects such electrical power generation by photo-voltaic systems and wind power as well as aspects of food production and alternative household heating systems is ongoing.
Small northern industries continue to receive assistance through the industrial research assistance program, a National Research Council of Canada program delivered in the NWT by the Science Institute.
Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of pleasure that I will present this annual report to the Legislative Assembly later today.