Mr. Speaker, all the aboriginal groups have the latest document on our submission. It hasn't changed for a period of time. So there may be a criticism that some groups will say we're not keeping them up to date, but that's because we haven't had anything new to offer in the change of status.

The document itself and the proposal, if we call it that, to the federal government is well-known, well-distributed and well-recognized. We just haven't had any change in the last year and a half, and the areas where we feel there is a shortfall still remain the same. When there is a request for further information, we just keep sending the same explanation and I'm sure that everybody is getting fairly bored with it and wondering why there hasn't been any action on that part, but there has been no change from almost a year and a half.

If there was a change, we would convene a meeting. If there's change, I expect that we will want to deal with the organizations. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Mr. Speaker, given the recent discussions with both the Prime Minister and the new Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs on the northern accord, assuming that there are going to be some new initiatives happening, what time frame is the Minister looking at to begin discussions and try to wrap up the northern accord agreement?

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, the follow-up communication to the Minister of Indian Affairs is being prepared under the auspices of the Minister of Finance, mainly because it encompasses a lot of financial issues. That communication should be going to tabulate what we felt the meeting was all about and we will provide a copy to you. Give it a few days and see if we can come up with a timetable. We have the assurance of many of the major groups that they will support the initiative so we can move ahead. This document has yet to be concluded, but it will be forwarded very shortly. Then we will try to seek a timetable from the Minister of Indian Affairs.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs with regard to student transportation. I tabled a petition on Friday. Before then, in speaking with the Minister, he indicated that the policy would be brought to Cabinet. I would like to know if this new policy has been brought to Cabinet.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to indicate to the honourable Member that the manner in which the formulas will be addressed in terms of providing funding to educational boards has been dealt with. The appropriate and necessary additional financing for transportation will be approved in this House through supplementary appropriation, to be voted on by all Members of this House during this session.

Supplementary, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to know when the Minister expects to bring in the supplementary appropriations.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is not really for me to determine when the supplementary appropriation is to be brought in by the Minister of Finance. However, I can indicate to the honourable Member that, once the Minister of Finance has brought forward the supplementary appropriation to the Standing Committee on Finance and received their comments and advice, that particular supplementary appropriation will be forwarded to this House, hopefully during this session.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Education. In November, 1992 there was a band motion on the interpreter/translator position being relocated on the reserve. Since the building on the reserve was to opened in March, I wrote a letter to the Minister on March 3, requesting him to relocate the South Slavey interpreter/translator position to the reserve. The response was that it would happen after the amalgamation of Education, Culture and Communications, and so on. The last letter I received was in November, 1992.

The response said that because the department was looking at reorganization and they were evaluating the positions, they weren't willing to consider the request at that time. This was one year ago to date, November 22. I would like to ask the Minister whether this evaluation has already been done one year later and whether there is an openness to -- through the community transfer initiative or other means -- transfer the translator/interpreter position to the Hay River reserve?

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Obviously, the honourable Member knows that the request was made to a former Minister at a time when I was not responsible. However, I do want to indicate to the honourable Member that any options such as transfer to the community, under the community transfer initiative, is a policy of this government. If a request is made by a community to address that particular matter, then obviously I will be prepared to consider it.

However, I just want to remind the honourable Member that the responsibility of the interpreter/translator is to serve all departments and all agencies of government in providing this service to the community. In transferring and moving that individual to the reserve, that has to be considered as well. That's all I have to say. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since the amalgamation of Education, Culture and Communications, has there been a review done? Has there been an analysis of the programs and services that the department provides? Have there been plans made for the future?

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can indicate to the honourable Member that not all assessments have been completed. I want to indicate that the reorganization of the department has taken place. We've restructured in terms of the responsibilities within the department, such as reducing management from 17 to 11 and reorganizing the way in which we identify sections of the department. We are now reviewing not only the headquarters responsibilities but also the regions, including the idea of giving more responsibility to regional superintendents so they can make more decisions rather than having to rely on headquarters for making those decisions. That is what is occurring at the moment.

Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Mr. Speaker, regardless of whether this analysis, evaluation and review is taking place, what seems to be the problem with relocating one position from Hay River to the reserve? The department is using the excuse that these things are happening, but that shouldn't stop the department from relocating one position. It is not causing any kind of disruption on their reviews.

Mr. Nerysoo.