Point of order has been called by Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Point Of Order

I would like to get clarification and I would like to ask you for a ruling on this. The Members have some concern with regard to posing a question to a Minister with regard to Cabinet secrecy. I do not believe that Beauchesne's Rules & Forms disallows any Member to pose a question to a Minister about what happens in a Cabinet discussion. I believe it is up to the Minister to let the Members know whether it is secret or not. That is the Minister's responsibility, but there appears to be some misunderstanding by Members whether we can ask Ministers questions that have been discussed in Cabinet. I would like to ask you, Mr. Speaker, if you can make a ruling on that particular point. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Certainly. I'll get back to the House for that ruling as soon as possible. Thank you very much. Item 6, written questions. Mr. Dent.

To clarify, Mr. Dent, as I understand it, you have asked two questions to the same Minister? Mr. Dent.

We will consider each of the questions to the Minister, with his different responsibilities, as a separate written question, for the record. Item 6, written questions. Item 7, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.

The paper on triple designation of young offender facilities was in response to the Member's question specific to that topic.

The other topic, relating to incidents which have occurred in young offenders' centres over the past few months, is also very important. I consider this separate topic to be so significant that I asked for a separate report to be prepared to inform Members about the various incidents which have occurred, and the response of the Department of Justice to them. Revisions to that paper are currently being done, including the addition of information regarding the most recent incident at the River Ridge. I will make it available to Members once the revisions have been completed and translated.

Item 8, replies to opening address. Item 9, petitions. Item 10, reports of standing and special committees. We will take a short break before we go into that report. Mr. Koe.

---SHORT RECESS

I'll call the Assembly back to order. Item 10, reports of standing and special committees. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions to present our report on the review of Arctic College. Over the past two years, the committee held public hearings, informal consultations with board members and college officials, students, faculty and formal meetings with the Minister and his officials.

The standing committee wishes to acknowledge the participation and input of the Arctic College board of governors and Arctic College and department officials, staff and student representatives throughout the review. As well, the committee appreciates the comments of members of the public who appeared as witnesses or provided written submissions during the public hearings.

Introduction

Throughout the review process, the committee focused on the following aspects:

-the mandate, composition, organizational structure and function of the board of governors of Arctic College and its various committees;

-the working relationships between the board of governors and the Department of Education;

-the operation of Arctic College, particularly related to administrative planning, the establishment of priorities and the development of a framework for the delivery of educational services and programs;

-strategic planning and funding allocation system developments;

-pertinent legislation, regulations and policy;

-statutory relationship between the Minister and the college;

-the role of the Science Institute;

-adult education programming at the community level; and,

-future direction of Arctic College and post-secondary education in Nunavut and the new western territory.

Time was also spent during the latter part of the review on three announcements made by the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. First, was the government's decision to decentralize Arctic College into two separate college systems with head offices in Iqaluit and in Fort Smith. Second, was the development of a new strategic plan which would shape the direction of the department over the next ten to 15 years. Third, the integration of the Northwest Territories Science Institute with Arctic College.

Mr. Speaker, within our report, we identify issues in the areas we focused on as a committee. Over the two years that we reviewed Arctic College, the Minister and his officials responded favourably to the comments of the committee and to the interim report. In this report, we show where the college has attempted to address our concerns and highlight areas where further change is required.

Areas which particularly require attention are:

-legislation to implement the establishment of two colleges for the Northwest Territories;

-a draft strategic plan for each of the two colleges prior to the introduction of the legislation to establish the new college system;

-a formal process for the delegation of responsibilities from the Minister to the new boards; and,

-a formal process for obtaining the input of community education councils on local programming and planning.

Motion To Receive Committee Report 9-12(4) And Move To Committee Of The Whole, Carried

Mr. Speaker, now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions Final Report on Arctic College be received and moved into committee of the whole for consideration. Mahsi.

The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Item 10, reports of standing and special committees. Item 11, reports of committees on the review of bills. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Report On Bills 2, 3 And 4

Mr. Speaker, I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Legislation has reviewed Bill 2, Bill 3 and Bill 4 and wished to report that Bill 2, Bill 3, and Bill 4 are now ready for committee of the whole.

Thank you, Mr. Arngna'naaq. Pursuant to rule 70(5), Bills 2, 3 and 4 are ordered into committee of the whole. Item 12, tabling of documents. Item 13, notices of motion. Item 14, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Item 15, motions. Item 16, first reading of bills. Item 17, second reading of bills. Item 18, consideration in committee of the whole of bills and other matters: Minister's Statement 3-12(4), Sessional Statement by Premier; Bill 1, Appropriation Act, No. 1, 1994-95; Committee Report 3-12(4), Review of the 1994-95 Capital Estimates; Committee Report 7-12(4), Committee Review of DeLury and Associates Limited Contracts; Committee Report 8-12(4), Final Report on the Elimination of the Highway Transport Board; and, Tabled Document 11-12(4), Report from the Fort Providence/Cambridge Bay Strategic Planning Workshops. By the authority given to me by Motion 1-12(4) regarding sitting hours, we will put the Assembly into committee of the whole until the committee is ready to report progress, with Mr. Whitford in the chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We would like to continue with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Bill 1, Appropriation Act, No. 1, 1994-95

Committee Report 3-12(4), Review Of The 1994-95 Capital Estimates

Department Of Education, Culture And Employment Programs

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am prepared to proceed.