Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just with regard to further clarification for Members of the committee of the whole. Just note that we are meeting with Yellowknife District No. 1, and we are dealing with the matter of capital expenditures -- for instance, for Sir John Franklin -- as part of the process of transfer, and what that means in terms of that project in the future. Just so there is no confusion, there is no attempt on our part to withdraw any expenditures that are required. I use the word "required" because it is important for us to understand that it is not simply a matter of picking money out of the air and moving it. There is a requirement, we've identified it, and it is part of those discussions.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. One of the concerns that has been raised in one of my communities -- namely Baker Lake -- has to do with the Arctic College building there. The building was built back in the days when buildings were pre-fabricated. The building we have in Baker Lake is partially thinly-insulated, and requires constant renovation to keep it going. I'm just wondering how the department has, at the present time, and even in the past, made long-range plans for buildings for Arctic College. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, generally speaking, we work with the campuses in the regions, along with the divisional boards, wherever possible. As a result of that, we identify those particular requirements and identify whether they are priorities for expenditures for capital money for educational reasons. We also work to identify Arctic College buildings that either need emergency repair or upgrade. We can do that with the board and with the Arctic College campus as well.

Mr. Chairman, I note that there has been a recommendation made by this committee. However, I would like to find out, as well, what steps the department will be taking to create long-range plans for Arctic College campuses across the Northwest Territories.

Thank you. It is a very good question and I appreciate it at this point in time. It is part of the long-term strategy we are considering, in terms of revising the Arctic College strategy that had been produced. We are reviewing that particular strategy, not only in terms of programming and services in communities but also in long-term capital planning. That has been one of our problems. I know that previous Ministers who held this portfolio recognized that one of the weaknesses in the Arctic College programming was that we were not planning as well for campuses and infrastructure to deliver those programs.

It has been a problem for us and we recognize that. We have asked the Arctic College board, the president and the campuses to help in developing some plans to meet the accommodation needs in their particular region.

Does that mean that planning will be taking place, similar to the planning the department is doing now with the schools across the Northwest Territories?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There are two aspects to the plan. One, is to deal with the question of the infrastructure for school programming, and the second one is to ensure that the strategy and programming for Arctic College, or post-secondary programming, is a part of that planning as well. Because, as I said, that was one of the weaknesses in the system, in terms of not really knowing how

many students we were going to accommodate in the Arctic College programming.

I would ask, also, for Members to recognize that -- I believe one of the recommendations that was made by the Standing Committee on Finance addressed this -- there is the possibility of us considering the idea of leasing space for Arctic College programming. There is nothing to suggest that we can't encourage private enterprise to build the buildings and to lease them to us for programming reasons. It is only helpful in terms of the economy, in ensuring we have the resources. I just wanted to point that out. I think it was a good recommendation by the Standing Committee on Finance.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I understand the pressures that are on the Department of Education, regarding the somewhat unpleasant problem we have of people going back to school and taking advantage of our northern education system. But, I must note that some of the highest expectations and interest are in the area of the Arctic College. I am afraid that the capital plan, over the next several years, is going to have to recognize those pressures.

Mr. Chairman, I believe strongly that the training programs that we can expect to be delivered in preparation for Nunavut government, and also in preparation for the land claims, should be delivered in the Arctic College. I know the Minister agrees with that. This is a golden opportunity to use some of the new money that will be coming from the federal government, from land claims, to support our community programs in our college system all across the Northwest Territories. I know he sees that as an opportunity.

I guess I am focusing in on the Nunatta campus with which I am most familiar, although I am sure this is an issue elsewhere, but I see a real shortfall and a real problem with married students' housing. I mention married students' housing because I note that the five year plan of the department looked at replacing single students' housing because the aging, former Ukiivik residence will have a limited life span and ultimately is going to have to be replaced. I must offer my opinion that the married students' housing is an even greater priority. We can limp along with the former Ukiivik residence. It has lasted some 30 or 40 years, and it could probably continue to last, but these married students with families are mature students coming back to school and are a very good risk for the college. Even though it is more difficult to house these students with their families, their success rate is excellent. They have had some life experience, they know what they want and they have a very good chance of succeeding and doing well. I would like to get this on the record now, this is an area I think that is going to have to be addressed.

I will quickly tell a story of a student I heard about who is from Arviat. He has a big family but is so dedicated to concluding his education that he is at the Nunatta campus taking management studies and living alone in the single student residence without his family. He is having trouble. He is wondering if he can make it. He is finding it very lonely and stressful. This is the kind of dedication that many of these students have. I would like to see this issue addressed. I would like to endorse the comment of the Standing Committee on Finance that we may be able to look at alternatives to building an expensive building, particularly with the Nunatta campus. There may well be lease options available that are cheaper, both short-term and long-term. I think the Minister should be quite open to that.

Mr. Chairman, I did note that there was a newspaper ad, recently, which called for a study of student housing needs. If the Minister could elaborate on that a little bit more, I would appreciate it. I believe that something is being done to address this issue. I believe the study will show that the married students' housing demand in Nunatta campus, in particular, is very high. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, I think the Member has identified an area, not only in terms of the accommodation of programs, but accommodation for students who are attending Arctic College programming.

It has been recognized by the board that there have been times that, in a programming area, we have been crisis managing. We are just responding to increases in student population based on that particular year, rather than recognizing their significant requirements now with the implementation of the final agreements, either the Gwich'in, the Sahtu or the Nunavut. There is a significant amount of training that is required to implement those agreements.

One of the problems is that we have not generally planned to ensure that we meet those training needs. Of course, there are the daily requirements of business and government. We are training individuals to meet our employment requirements. In that sense, the whole intent of the review is to identify what the priorities are in each particular campus, including Nunatta, in terms of those programs. It is also to plan long-term, not short-term.

There is something about planning short term and addressing crisis situations. The problem is, how many students are we expecting in two, or five, years from now. We have not done a very good job of that.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just need a clarification before we go to page by page. On the definitive objectives, on page 16-4, of the culture and careers activity, "to design and build a community learning centre in Coral Harbour attached to the school." On the bottom, "to complete construction and school additions in Norman Wells...And Coral Harbour." I don't mean to go into detail, Mr. Chairman, I just want to use the page by page method for example only. If you would allow me, on page 16-10, the details of capital for Keewatin, "renovate learning centre, Coral Harbour, $235,000, 1994-95." Right above that, there is a prior cost for a four-plex learning centre in Rankin Inlet for $1.45 million -- almost $1.5 million -- for a four-plex only. What I am trying to understand, from your definitive objective, you are renovating the school in

Coral Harbour for $2.6 million and it's to be completed in 1994-95. Renovations will include all sections that were used as the learning centre for adult education. If you use that area in your school extension program, how can you possibly attach the adult education centre, which will probably be a two-plex or three-plex type, or three classroom type.

According to the vice-president of Arctic College in Keewatin, Coral Harbour is one of the most active and successful adult learning centres in Keewatin. It has classes day and night and has produced I don't know how many students, who never used to work, but are now employed in fairly complicated fields. One of them is now a manager of the housing association. Another one is now a bookkeeper at the hamlet office.

We also got a letter from you stating that a stand-alone adult education centre will be built in Coral Harbour. I don't know where the budget for $250,000 fits. I guess that is my question, Mr. Chairman.

I'd have to, Mr. Chairman, ask to bring my staff in to ask them more specific questions. The problem, if the honourable Member will recognize this, is that we had a shortage of space in the school. One of the problems is that we wanted to do some renovations in that building, to allow for programming this year. In addition to that, we still needed to do some renovations to the learning centre. That's in order for us to respond even to the problems that we're having right now. I understand the concerns of the honourable Member. The problem, though, is that with the resources that have been identified, we have not been able to accommodate all those requests that have been made.

I'll deal with that request of the stand-alone centre because that commitment is there and we intend to proceed with it. It's just a matter of planning with the regional board and the Arctic College to ensure that we have the facilities there available.