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.