Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my time as an MLA, Members of this Assembly have always enjoyed and valued a close working relationship with the Science Institute of the Northwest Territories. After all, the Science Institute reports to this Assembly and, in effect, is a servant of this Assembly. It is incorporated in our own legislation.
Most of the years I have been an MLA the Science Institute met annually with MLAs, reported to us on their work and formally or informally accepted MLA's advice on research and other priorities, although this has not happened recently. I recall the work done in the past by the Science Institute in areas such as moose hide tanning techniques, uranium mine tailings clean up and the slow-poke reactor where this Assembly requested help from the Science Institute on specific issues of concern.
The Science Institute has had amongst its members distinguished Canadians and eminent scientists. It has attracted significant federal funding from the national research council and other third party funding sources.
Mr. Speaker, this government earlier announced the Science Institute would be decentralized to Inuvik and the Baffin. Recently, the new Minister of Education announced, at a public meeting of the Arctic College board of governors, his view that the Science Institute should, perhaps, be incorporated with Arctic College. Does this represent a change of government policy? Has it been decided in Cabinet? Have the views of the Science Institute or MLAs to which the Science Institute reports been sought? These are questions which must be answered.
Mr. Speaker, this is our research and development capacity. It is critical to our future. Changes must be carefully and thoughtfully planned. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.