Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Allooloo on October 7, 1994, on the investigation of a contractor in Pond Inlet. On October 7, 1994, the honourable Member for Amittuq asked a question regarding an RCMP investigation into potential false claims by the contractor in Pond Inlet.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Madam Premier.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a reply to an oral question asked by Mr. Gargan on October 12th, as to whether the Department of Health and Social Services is doing any monitoring of drinking water in the Mackenzie and Slave rivers.

The Mackenzie health service monitors drinking water quality in all communities on the Slave and south Mackenzie river systems at least monthly for bacteria. The other regional health boards have similar monitoring programs.

In addition, full chemical analysis is conducted on an annual basis in cooperation with the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has recently completed a Northwest Territories water quality study in which the water quality of all NWT communities was examined and found to conform to the national drinking water standards.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Ng on October 13, 1994 regarding the criteria for selection of candidates for the teacher education program.

The criteria for the admission of students in an NWT teacher education program, delivered on campus or in a community, is identified in the Arctic College program calendar. Generally, the criteria for admission in a teacher education program requires that the candidate:

-is 17 years of age or older;

-has a strong desire to work with children; and,

-is mature, responsible and reliable.

The candidate must have one of the following:

-a high school diploma; or,

-a minimum of grade 10, two years successful experience as a classroom assistant, and a reference from both the principal and the community education council; or,

-the numeracy and literacy skills required by the teacher education program.

Arctic College selects candidates for campus-based teacher education programs based on these criteria. The college, in partnership with boards and divisional boards of education also uses this criteria to screen candidates for community-based programs.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Zoe on October 13, 1994.

The department continues to support involvement and participation from the NWT in the North American Indigenous Games. These games are held every second year, in 1993 in Prince Alberta, Saskatchewan and in 1995 to be held in Bemidji, Minnesota.

Previous support for the North American Indigenous Games has been, as Mr. Zoe noted, on an ad hoc basis as our resources allowed. The department assisted 50 athletes and officials from Rae-Edzo to attend the games in Prince Albert. I would like to see a more formal program approach to our support for these games and continue to support the ministerial initiative developed by the former Minister.

The department has discussed this matter with several teachers for the Dogrib Divisional Board of Education and advised them that we are continuing to try and establish a proper program to assist our participation in these games. Discussion on specific support for possible participants is premature, however, until we make further progress on a program for assistance. Any interpretation that we will not support participation in the games is mistaken, and unfortunate; it is that we simply do not yet know the scope and nature of our involvement.

I would, again, confirm that I support our involvement in the 1995 North American Indigenous Games and will give priority to establishing a program of support in time for proper preparation for the 1995 games. Thank you.

Thank you. You have another return to oral question, Ms. Mike. Proceed.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. This question was asked by Mr. Ng on October 13, 1994 on land use permit procedures.

DIAND procedures do call for the circulation of land use permit applications on Crown lands outside municipal boundaries to the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs for comment. The department's opportunity to comment does vary, however, and in some cases we are not involved at the application stage. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.