Thank you. Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, on December 4, 1992, the Member did request that we bring attention to this matter. It was argued at that time that the power plant in its present location was a safety hazard and that the pipeline between the plant and the POL tank farm is an inconvenience to hunters. Mr. Speaker, the corporation has identified a capacity shortfall in Hall Beach and is in the final stages of tendering for supply and construction. The municipality of Hall Beach is under the misunderstanding that the current building extension could operate as a new, relocated, stand-alone power plant. This is not the case. The materials that are proposed for the 1993-94 season are intended for expansion and reconditioning of the existing power plant. By the end of the fiscal year, the corporation will have committed in excess of $500,000 to the project. Materials and construction of the expansion are estimated at an additional $1.8 million in 1993 and 1994.

Mr. Speaker, in developing an argument for new plant construction and relocation, the corporation considers such issues as structural stability, the foundation integrity, generating capacity and operational safety.

In the case of the Hall Beach generating facility, the only legitimate shortfall was that of generating capacity and that was most effectively addressed in the context of plant reconditioning and expansion. The building extension is complete. The new engine is installed and is scheduled to be commissioned in December. The contractor will leave the community at that time and is planning to complete any deficiency in the new year. That's a long answer for the background on the issue, and the short answer is there is no consideration and argument for relocation at this time. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the power plant cannot be moved because it is nearly at the completed stage, is the Power Corporation willing to move the tanks away from the community because of safety concerns? Thank you.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, at this point in time it would appear by the decisions that have been made that the argument for safety is not sufficient in order to move those tanks. There is no decision at this present time to relocate the tanks. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Lewis.

Thanks, Mr. Speaker. I noted in the capital budget address Mr. Nerysoo's dilemma. The good news is that there are more young people staying in school. My understanding is that we have a national problem of drop-outs. So, I'd like to ask the Minister of Education, what is the current drop-out rate in the Northwest Territories?

Thank you, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The present drop-out rate is about 76 per cent, compared to 30 per cent for Canada as a whole.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

I didn't quite get the figure that the Minister gave me as the drop-out rate, but it seemed like a high figure. The national drop-out rate, according to Statistics Canada, is 18 per cent. In the Maritimes, it's 30 per cent. In the west, it's 16 per cent. So, I'd like to ask the Minister, since the northern figure seems to be much, much higher than the national average, could he give some explanation as to why our drop-out rate seems to be larger than what exists in the south?

Thank you. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There's no one particular issue that is causing NWT students to leave school early but matters such as poverty, lack of parental experience with formal education and school system that has been originally based on southern models are just a few of the factors that have been identified so far in our assessment as to why children are leaving school early. Of course, the honourable Member is also aware that some of the strategies that we are developing, such as training more aboriginal teachers and counsellors to reflect cultures, the extension of high school grades in the communities, and offering programs to attract drop-outs back into school have resulted in increases in secondary school enrolments. Beginning in 1991-92, the enrolment in high school increased by 28 per cent. In 1992-93, by 19 per cent and in 1993-94, by 17 per cent. These increases promise a higher completion rate of about 42 per cent. In other words, we are going from about a 34 per cent up to 42 per cent at this particular juncture. So, we're beginning to see those rate increases occurring.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Gargan.

My question is to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Todd. With regard to the official turnover of the Fort Providence water treatment plant facility, I received a letter from the previous Minister on November 16, saying that he will be travelling to Fort Providence for that event. But, as the Minister is no longer in that position, I'd like to ask the interim Minister if he intends to travel to Fort Providence for that official turnover?

Mr. Todd.

I believe the opening is somewhere around December 9 and 10 and I have previous commitments...I don't know, Mr. Speaker. I would have to check my travel itinerary and see if it was possible. It certainly would be my intention -- if time permits and my itinerary permits -- to be there. I would be delighted. Thank you.

Thank you. The question has been noted. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I share with the honourable Member the concern, with respect to the individual who is lost out of Arviat. It's my understanding that the community has demonstrated the kind of community spirit that Arviat has by donating a considerable amount of money to help in the search. I'm not clear as to how much investment or money we've given out as MACA, but I will look into it and get back to the honourable Member tomorrow. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to extend question period.