Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We would have to take that as notice. It requires some detail. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The question is taken as notice. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Mr. Speaker, thank you. I have a question for the Minister of Education with regard to his statement earlier today, on the child day care program symposium. He stated that he will be tabling a summary of the recommendations later on today and then in an area which is not written in my paper, he stated that he will not be tabling it, I don't know what it was. I'd like to have that clarified. Thank you.

Mr. Minister.

Sorry, Mr. Speaker, I missed the question. Could I ask the honourable Member to repeat the question?

Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister indicated in his statement today, that he would be tabling a copy of the summary of recommendations from the day care symposium and then later on, in an area which I do not think I have in my paper, he said that he would not be tabling. I wanted to find out what it is that he is not going to table. Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, if the honourable Member notes in the statement, what is not available at this particular juncture is the final child care policy. When I get to the point of tabling documents, I will be tabling the recommendations and the summary of the recommendations of the symposium that was held here in Yellowknife.

Supplementary, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. He indicates in his statement that the department will be making further consultations with interested parties. I would like to know what form of consultation the Minister is referring to. Thank you.

Thank you. Generally speaking, the consultations are to make certain that the recommendations are, first of all, a reflection of the comments and the discussion that took place during the symposium and secondly, that the proposed changes that would be anticipated in a new policy should be discussed with those who are operating child care centres, so there is no contradictory policy in the programs that are being offered.

If it is our intention to improve the programming, then obviously we have to make certain that they understand what changes are occurring. The other aspect is to make certain that, if we are to improve our programming access, we also have to find a method by which we advise the communities that those programs will be available to them.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Dent.

Minister Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is difficult to respond to the remarks the honourable Member has made. I was under the impression that one of the directions that was given to me, was to go forward to seek public advice on some of the changes that were required in the new policy. I'm disappointed, I guess, that I'm being criticized for being a little careful about where it is that we're going. Particularly, in light of the recommendations and the directions that have been given to me by representatives from all across the Northwest Territories that there was a need for us to change the programs and the policy and there's a need for us to consider legislative changes. These directions were actually given to me by people who represented communities and, in fact, day care centres in the city of Yellowknife.

I had thought I should be a little more careful so that I had a policy that was reflective of the Members of this Assembly and, as well, reflective of the kinds of recommendations and directions given to me by the general public. On the matter of the public process, the symposium itself, was one portion of the public process.

What we need now is to make certain that the recommendations are acceptable and reflective of the directions of the public, the kinds of changes that day cares in existence are seeking, and, the potential community direction that would allow for the development of other child care centres, including the potential for child care centres in high schools. That was, in fact, the recommendation of the Special Committee on Health and Social Services.

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, I'm not certain about the manner in which they were selected. I left that totally up to the administrator. I will take the question as notice and report back. But, generally speaking, it was with the view that the communities made the decision themselves.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Public Works. Mr. Speaker, on December 1, the Minister was interviewed on CBC radio and he was given two examples of contracts from local, small business people in Fort Simpson, who were not given an opportunity to bid on a local contract. He was asked if this was fair practice to the business people, two business men that weren't given an opportunity to work. Mr. Morin replied, "Yes, I think it's a fair practice." In what way is it fair to the two people who were not given an opportunity to bid on this tender?