Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There have been discussions with chartered banks with regard to providing financial services in communities and this government subsidizing the bank to provide that service in particular communities. Tomorrow evening, I will be meeting, again, with the co-operatives who are pursuing a financial institution -- a credit union network across the Northwest Territories. As Mr. Gargan knows, there is a suggestion from the Dene reserve in Hay River with regard to a trust company in the Northwest Territories. So, we are looking at a number of aspects.

I believe the former government looked at a treasury branch system for the Northwest Territories and ruled it out as being too expensive. But, I will say that we are painfully aware of the lack of banking services available in communities. We are aware of the problem that Mr. Gargan raises, which is the ability to get a loan when you live in a smaller community which does not have any banking services. As late as last week, I was discussing with one of the banks the requirements paperwise when somebody is applying for a loan. I do not know what the answer is going to be, Mr. Chairman, but we are looking at all avenues to address the critical need for banking services in communities. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. Mr. Gargan.

I appreciate what the government is trying to do. But the fact still remains, Mr. Chairman, that we do have a lot of chartered banks that are owned and operated but do not really benefit the Territories. All of our dollars are still leaking south. What I hope is that if we were to have a trust company or a credit union that the Minister is referring to that is owned 51 per cent or more by the people, I believe the money would stay in the North. It may open a lot of other opportunities for the communities to get loans in order to establish their own businesses.

Business Development, Total O and M, Agreed

Thank you. Business development, not previously authorized, $1,957,000. Agreed?

Agreed.

--- Agreed

Total O and M, Agreed

Thank you. Total department, $1,957,000. Agreed?

Agreed.

--- Agreed

Tourism And Parks, Total Capital, Agreed

Thank you. Department of Economic Development and Tourism capital. Tourism and parks, not previously authorized, $505,000, surplus. Agreed?

Agreed.

--- Agreed

Total Capital, Agreed

Thank you. Total department, $505,000, surplus. Agreed?

Agreed.

--- Agreed

Department Of Education

Schools, Total O and M, Agreed

Thank you. Department of Education, operations and maintenance. Schools, not previously authorized, $949,000. Agreed? Mr. Gargan.

Mr. Chairman, with regard to this, I asked the Minister a question about a month ago with regard to the process in which the Akaitcho Hall board was supposed to develop into a management board. This process has been halted because of a position that was terminated. The board itself still functions as an advisory board. I am wondering if there is going to be the support to actually establish a management board?

Thank you. Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Chairman, if you will excuse me, I will take the question as notice and get the answer from the Minister of Education.

Schools, not previously authorized, $949,000. Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Arctic College, Total O and M, Agreed

Arctic College, $97,000, not previously authorized. Agreed?

Agreed.

--- Agreed

Total O and M, Agreed

Total department, $1,046,000. Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Schools, Total Capital, Agreed

Education, capital, schools, not previously authorized, $4,890,000, surplus, Agreed?

Agreed.

--- Agreed

Arctic College, Total Capital, Agreed