Thanks, Mr. Speaker. In several other meetings that the Minister has had with his counterpart in the federal

government, we have heard things like, "sympathetic to our social housing needs," "clearly understanding," "the several factors which make us different," "the commitment to fully review our concerns and needs with staff," and yet nothing has happened. My question to the Minister, how different was this meeting with this Minister, as compared with previous meetings with the Honourable Elmer MacKay?

Minister Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The biggest difference between now and the meetings we had with the previous government -- previous Ministers -- previous Ministers of the CMHC were committed to try to help us but they couldn't get it on the agenda. It's as simple as that. The previous government was preoccupied with leadership conventions. They were preoccupied with elections. They were preoccupied with constitutional development and no one wanted to really address the issue. The way I read this, you have a new government. The Minister is committed to take it to Cabinet and represent our cause there, to try to get the reinstatement of funding. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Thanks, Mr. Speaker. Does the phrase then, "to fully review our needs and concerns with his staff and seek support from his Cabinet colleagues", mean that he will take this concern to the Cabinet so that it will be discussed in that forum?

Minister Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That's my understanding. Thank you.

I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome in the visitor's gallery, Mr. Tom Zubko, Deputy Mayor of Inuvik, and Mr. Dennie Lennie, Chairman of the Inuvik Community Corporation.

---Applause

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

Mr. Todd.

The short answer at this time is that, of course, the financial resources are not available to look at improving the airstrip in Lake Harbour. However, we were successful, as I indicated earlier in my Minister's statement, in securing money under the previous government that enabled us to improve and move ahead some of the airport projects.

I recognize the importance. It's a long, outstanding issue with Lake Harbour. It will be part of our overall strategy to try to get some long-term funding through a joint initiative between the federal government and ourselves. However, at this time we simply don't have the resources. I want to assure the honourable Member, that is my intention -- and he will see in the transportation strategy that it's part of that -- as we move forward in the coming months to discuss with our federal counterparts the idea of a joint initiative. Hopefully, we'll be able to secure some long-term money to bring the Lake Harbour airstrip and others up to the standard that will meet our future requirements. However, I don't have the money at this time, but I want to assure him that it is in our overall strategy. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to my question to the Minister of Transportation. We are aware that there are no funds available at this time. We only get twin otters in our community. There's a lot of cargo and the plane is usually full. The present airstrip we have is in a very dangerous situation. We can't get all the cargo in or out. For that reason, I wonder if the Minister of Transportation -- as he indicated before -- Mr. Speaker, maybe he can update me as to what stage they're at now, if the funding will be available in the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, I want to assure the honourable Member that we are taking a hard look at it. Within the next three to four years, based upon the joint initiative we took with the federal government, we'll be able to complete almost every airstrip in the Northwest Territories where we have some difficulties, whether it's in Fort Good Hope, Pelly Bay, Coppermine or other areas. I believe, if my memory serves me correct, there are two communities that need a little more

attention. One is Lake Harbour and the other one, the one Mr. Zoe keeps telling me about, of course is Rae-Edzo.

I want to assure the Member that both these airstrips are part of the plan. I intend to go to Ottawa in the new year to see if there is any room for negotiation, if there is the possibility of developing a joint initiative between the federal government and the territorial government. If there is, I want to assure him the expansion of the Lake Harbour strip and Mr. Zoe's will be on the table and on the agenda. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to -- as I indicated in my statement -- the Minister of Education. Mr. Speaker, I've had the privilege of going to work, going back home every day -- when I choose to -- by taxi. If the weather is nice, I'll walk. When the weather is bad, very cold, I take a taxi. This is not the case for most of the little kids we have as part of the population of the NWT. I'm talking about white, Dene and Inuit. They could be our children, more appropriately they could be our grandchildren, but they're kids anyway. Sometimes they have to venture outside to walk over to the school in 40, 50 or 60 below zero weather and sometimes in a storm. I asked the Minister, during the Third Session of the 12th Assembly, whether the Minister of Education has a policy in place to allow the community to acquire busing services and programs. Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I did respond to a similar question asked by Mr. Pudlat, previously. I want to indicate to the honourable Member that the matter of student transportation funding will be part of the normal formula financing arrangement we will, in future, have with the divisional boards of education.

There is a supplementary appropriation in this House that requires the support and approval of Members. Once that approval has been given, we will then apply the criteria for bussing which is that funding will be provided for students: five to six years old if they live .5 kilometres or more from the school; students seven to ten if they live one or more kilometres; and, students 11 and over if they live 1.5 kilometres or more from school. Hopefully, with the support of Members in this House, we will be able to equitably finance the divisional boards to ensure there is funding for student transportation.

I did indicate to the honourable Member, Mr. Pudlat, previously, that one of the purposes for us introducing the criteria and guidelines was for the ministry, myself, to really be out of the business of determining the kind of transportation services to be offered by any divisional board or any community. My personal feeling is it should be left up to the divisional boards and the CEC to resolve those particular matters, as long as the financial resources as provided to those boards to make those decisions.

Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is one of the facts, Mr. Speaker, that the Kitikmeot region has, to a degree, been neglected. Would the honourable Minister assure me there would be a fair distribution of funds to the region? Thank you.

Minister Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The honourable Member, yes, every student will be, and every divisional board will be, treated equally. The formula will apply on a per capita basis.