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.