Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The alcohol and drug workers conference that was held at the end of March was held in annexes A, B and C in the Yellowknife Inn and not the Explorer Hotel, unless we're talking about two different conferences. I don't have the figures at the tip of my fingers. I will take the question as notice.

The question has been taken as notice. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Last March 11, 1993, I put forward a written question to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism about the Fort Resolution sawmill. This question was made on March 24, 1993. I would like to quote part of the response: "Before being able to properly respond, an extensive search will have to be made. The exact nature of the documentation on the mill is unknown. Therefore, it is impossible, at this point in time, to provide even a time line as to when all of the information could be gathered and a proper response delivered. A summer student will be hired to research and write a report that can be used to respond. The information requested will be provided as soon as feasible." Was a summer student hired to research and prepare a report on this issue?

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, let me apologize to my colleague for the delay in response. I wasn't the Minister at the time, but I want to assure him that I will endeavour to answer his question of March by the end of this week. With respect to the fact of whether there was a student hired to do some research, I believe there was. I am optimistic and confident when I assure the Member that we can get the answer to his question regarding the history of the Fort Resolution sawmill by Friday.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Education. My question was to the Minister last week and also to the Minister of Finance about the school bussing policy. I have received an answer to my question regarding funding for school bussing policy, which stated by the Minister that the additional contribution of $268,000 to school boards for this year was in our supplementary appropriation. However, I do not see a breakdown of what the formula is. I would like to find out if the Minister of Education would be willing to provide me with the formula. Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The allocation that is being used NWT-wide is an average cost per student -- for $485 per student -- and it is also indexed to the cost of living differential for each community.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for providing the information. I would like to find out from the Minister how it is determined how many students are eligible in a particular community.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe I have answered that particular question a number of times. The criteria for bussing is to provide funding to the boards for students five and six years old if they lived 0.5 kilometres or more from the school, students from seven to ten years old if they lived one kilometre or more from school and students 11 and over if they lived 1.5 kilometres or more from school. These criteria are being used as guidelines and approval for contributions to the board.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Who provides the number of students who are eligible in the school? Is it the divisional board or the government who determines that? Is it the education council? Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, the decision and the determination is done through the divisional boards, with the advice of the community education councils.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In speaking with the education council in Baker Lake, the information they received was that, in Baker Lake, there were only 48 students who were eligible for this particular funding. By calculating out the amounts that the Minister has just given, I do not know if the funds that will be allocated for the community of Baker Lake will suffice. I would like to know if there will be other funds made available to the communities, if so required.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated previously, the whole purpose for the department and Cabinet agreeing to the criteria and guidelines for bussing across the Northwest Territories is to get the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment out of the business of bussing and to allow the communities and the divisional boards to make those decisions. What my colleagues have been supportive in is allowing us to provide the financial resources so that the boards can make those decisions. In that sense, I would recommend to the honourable Member that his best approach and the community's best solution would be to come to an agreement with the divisional board on the allocation of resources, including the per capita requirements for the community that he has identified.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, since the Sessional Statement and the budget statement talk a great deal about the need to preserve our fragile northern economy, negotiate contracts and provide enhanced incentives to northern businesses to avoid leakage of dollars to the south, I was very surprised to see the Premier's report on the western Premiers' conference today that Premiers and Government Leaders indicated their support for the continuation of multilateral federal/provincial/territorial negotiations on the reduction of internal trade barriers and the Northwest Territories is a participant in these negotiations. Isn't the reduction of internal trade barriers and free trade amongst western provinces and territories a great threat to the protection of our fragile, developing northern economy and incentives to northern businesses and the reduction of leakage that the government seems committed to? Thank you.

Madam Premier.