Good afternoon. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Keewatin Central, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I am pleased today to announce that the following members of the Workers' Compensation Board have been reappointed: Mrs. Vivian Stevely of Hay River for a two year term effective February 18, 1994; Mr. Fred Coman of Iqaluit for a three year term effective February 18, 1994; and, Mr. Tom Hoefer of Yellowknife for a one year term effective May 4, 1994.

In addition, it is also my pleasure to announce that I have appointed Joan Mercredi to the Workers' Compensation Board of the Northwest Territories.

Most people are aware of the vacancy left on the WCB when Jim Bourque resigned in January to take a position with the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. After carefully considering suggestions from a number of sources, I have chosen Ms. Mercredi for her skills, her background and her valued perspectives.

Ms. Mercredi is an aboriginal person, who currently practices law here in Yellowknife. Before becoming a lawyer, she worked many years in the petroleum and telecommunications industries as a front line worker and manager, and she has also been self-employed. She knows first-hand the experiences of the modern workplace and understands the perspectives of the WCB's many stakeholders.

As an aboriginal in the north, Ms. Mercredi grasps native issues and she will ensure that our WCB is more than just a mirror of a southern institution. She is joining Vivian Stevely, increasing the number of women on the board to two and emphasizing our government's commitment to work towards greater representation of women on boards and agencies.

Ms. Mercredi joins a group of individuals who have worked diligently over the past year to improve service and involve their stakeholders through better communication. At the same time, the board continues to strive to provide full funding for current and future liabilities, without reducing workers' benefits.

Ms. Mercredi, chairperson, Jeff Gilmour and other members of the board, still have difficult tasks which they must address over the next several years. The board is considering changing the classification system, introducing a merit rebate/surcharge program and enhancing its safety education programs. There will be many challenges for Ms. Mercredi during her two year term.

I have complete confidence in the board members and in the appeals tribunal commissioners. The board is clearly committed to effectively handling the money employers trust in them and to provide timely and sensitive services and benefits to injured workers. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The Department of Public Works and Services has produced two posters to stress to students the importance of staying in school. These posters are being distributed to MLAs, schools and government offices throughout the Northwest Territories. Posters are part of the department's ongoing career awareness efforts.

The posters feature two Public Works and Services outstanding aboriginal employees. They are successful now because they completed their post-secondary education.

Madam Speaker, I wish to add my encouragement to young students in the Northwest Territories to stay in school and to complete their education. I can guarantee students that a good education will go a long way towards helping them to achieve their lifetime goals. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Joe Enook for his many years of dedicated service to education in the Baffin region.

---Applause

Mr. Enook is stepping down this week after nine years as chairperson of the Baffin Divisional Board of Education.

Many of you know that in 1985, the first divisional board of education in the Northwest Territories was formed in the Baffin region. Mr. Enook became its first chairperson and has been chairperson ever since. Previous to that, he was the chairperson of the Baffin Regional Education Society, the structure that preceded the divisional board.

Joe is very proud of the fact that he's a graduate of the Northwest Territories education system. He attended the Gordon Robertson Educational Centre, as it was known then, in Iqaluit.

Joe believes that education is critically important to the young people of Nunavut and he believes strongly that the education system must meet the needs of students. He has worked tirelessly to achieve that.

Two weeks ago, Joe Enook became a grandfather. His little granddaughter, Jennifer, will start school in the first kindergarten class in Nunavut in 1999. In that class, Jennifer will learn Inuktitut and be taught by an Inuk teacher. Her schooling will reflect the commitment and dedication of her grandfather, and others like him, to build an Inuit system of education for the children of Nunavut.

Today, Madam Speaker, I would like to publicly recognize Joe Enook's commitment to education in the Northwest Territories throughout his years as chairperson of Baffin Divisional Board of Education and to thank him for his contribution. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Recently, in Prince Edward Island, an RCMP officer was charged and acquitted in a case involving impaired driving causing death. The reason, Madam Speaker, that this officer got off was that he challenged the validity of the breathalyser test administered to him because the test itself was not administered until 90 minutes after the accident. Normally the prosecution goes backwards based on the time of an accident to determine the level of alcohol at the time of the accident. This RCMP officer's lawyer successfully argued that the beer the officer had in his stomach at that time, was not yet absorbed into his system and that any reading obtained later would be suspect. To make a long story short, Madam Speaker, the judge in this case agreed that there was reasonable doubt as to the accuracy of the breathalyser test and had no choice, but to acquit the officer.

Madam Speaker, as always, I am outraged when people who are in positions of authority and have knowledge of how the system works, manage to get out of being punished to the full extent of the law. I have looked far, Madam Speaker, to see cases of a similar nature in the Northwest Territories. When I think of Diane Doyle being in Fort Smith, as opposed to a federal prison down south, I am reminded again that if a person knows which bell and whistle to pull, a person can and does get out of the full consequence of their actions.

I am bringing this up, Madam Speaker, because I think a very important point has to be made. A person who is in the position of public trust, be it a policeman, a senior civil servant or an elected official, these people have to be able to stand up to the full responsibility of their inappropriate actions and be prepared to suffer the consequences.

Madam Speaker, no one can tell me that the RCMP officer who killed the 15 year old boy in Prince Edward Island did not know that he would be impaired after drinking five beer. No one can tell me that Diane Doyle...

Excuse me, Mr. Gargan. Your allotted time has lapsed. The honourable Member for Deh Cho.

Madam Speaker, I request unanimous consent to continue my statement.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Madam Speaker and honourable Members. No one can tell me, Madam Speaker, that Diane Doyle did not realize that her system...(inaudible)...was wrong. When you occupy a position in the public trust, your actions must be above reproach. Madam Speaker, the code of conduct we recently adopted goes some way to addressing this concern. We must be careful not to betray the trust the public has placed in us as MLAs. Mahsi cho, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Amittuq, Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Further to my comments the other day on the United States military activity in the north Baffin from 1956 to 1958, I thought I would make a statement today to clarify the situation for Members.

What we have managed to find out has raised more questions than have been answered. We do know that the experiments involved dropping a substance from an airplane and taking pictures of this using a flash mechanism powerful enough to turn the winter nights into day. We know, Madam Speaker, that a lot of people in the region developed painful blisters and boils upon their skin. I myself remember not being able to walk for three months due to pain associated with a skin condition. We do know that a lot of seemingly healthy people died shortly after we observed this phenomenon.

Madam Speaker, I can remember myself, and the honourable Member for High Arctic, giving interviews on this matter in the spring of 1987 to Peter Downing from the CBC Midday show. This interview never made it to air. The reason given was that the tape was lost on the way to the airport from Mr. Pudluk's office. I was later told that CBC Television was not going to air this interview, even if they had it.

As a result of this, CBC Yellowknife got interested in the story and I gave another interview for the radio. This interview aired once at 6:30 in the morning. Then I asked why it wasn't aired on the 7:30 and 8:30 newscasts. I was told by the regional manager, at the time, they could not air the interview.

Madam Speaker, I have been told by former MPs and friends that I had at the federal Cabinet that the information does exist outlining what happened in the north Baffin in the late 1950s. But that information is a matter of national security. What we don't know, Madam Speaker, is what the substance was the United States Air Force was photographing as it descended to the ground. Given the recent developments in the United States, that uncovered citizens who were...

Mr. Allooloo, your time has lapsed. Mr. Allooloo.

I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker and colleagues. Given the recent developments in the United States that uncovered citizens who were exposed to radiation as part of the ongoing experiment, I offer the suggestion that the residents of north Baffin were the victims of cold war experiments. Madam Speaker, this matter must be addressed. We must find out what happened in the north Baffin over 30 years ago for the peace of mind of my constituents. I will be pursuing this matter in question period. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise with pleasure to inform Members of a very important event taking place in my constituency next week, February 22 to 24, the annual general meeting of Pauktuutit, the Inuit Women's Association. There will be a full agenda for the AGM. One workshop will feature economic development opportunities for women focusing on arts and crafts, textiles and traditional clothing. I am told there will also be serious discussion of Pauktuutit's strong concern that there is, at present, no legislation in place to provide copyright protection for traditional Inuit designs. This may well be an area in which recommendations may come forward to this Assembly.

The meeting will also include in-depth consideration of Pauktuutit projects, especially social issues and family law concerns, and will include healing sessions. I will be presenting copies of our Legislature's recent declaration on zero tolerance of family violence.

As a special event this year, in celebration of their tenth anniversary, Pauktuutit will be holding a fabulous fashion show featuring traditional Inuit clothing on the last evening of their meeting. I am told there is a great deal of interest in this meeting. In addition to the 43 voting delegates, about 250 people are expected. Many women are making arrangements to travel at their own expense to attend the meeting. I hear that charters are even being organized from Inoucdjouac and Ivujivik in northern Quebec. A hard working local volunteer committee has lined up activities every evening. Madam Speaker, I have been invited by Pauktuutit president, Martha Flaherty, to officially welcome delegates to the meeting on behalf of the people of Iqaluit and to participate in some of the workshops. I am very much looking forward to attending this event in Iqaluit. This is to inform you and Members that I will, therefore, be absent from this House next week. I will give you a full report on this important event. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife North, Mr. Ballantyne.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to speak about mining in general, diamonds, specifically, and the opportunities they afford the Northwest Territories, the Dogrib region and my community of Yellowknife.

I strongly support the proactive and aggressive approach taken by the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Mr. Todd. Mr. Todd has put the mining accord on the front burner. He is forming a coalition from the effected regions, of the private sector, aboriginal groups, government and the mining industry. This opportunity will only come once. If we don't seize it, it will be gone forever.

If the economics are there, mines will be built. Some people may not like that, but that is a fact of life. This is a big play and either we are in on it or it is going to happen without us. There are very legitimate concerns that have been expressed by Members in this House about the environment, about broken promises from the past, about how it will effect land claims and how it will effect the treaties. I, for one, think those issues are very serious and have to be dealt with. But it still comes down to some hard and cold realities. Either we work with the industry to maximize opportunities for jobs and business or we are left out in the cold. We will watch airplanes carrying our diamonds, our jobs and our business opportunities flying at 30,000 feet overhead.

If we want to lessen our dependence on Ottawa, we have to take advantage of these opportunities. There is no doubt in my mind that as the federal government tries to wrestle down their deficit, no matter what the Minister of Finance does -- and he is doing a very good job -- we are going to be hit. I think we have to recognize that is a big reality.

I want to take this opportunity to thank the government, to thank Mr. Todd for the support and the cooperation they've given to the Yellowknife business community. The Yellowknife mining community, as many of you may not know, have been involved in this diamond play for many, many years. However, the magnitude and the speed at which this play is developed has been overwhelming. I think it's been difficult for the government, and definitely difficult for the business community here in Yellowknife to gear up for it.

Madam Speaker, could I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement?

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to continue with his Member's statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Ballantyne, continue.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yellowknife is gearing up, the NWT Chamber of Mines, the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce and the city MLAs have been working through the Yellowknife economic development committee for a number of months now. Mr. Todd has met with Yellowknife business people. Our community is coming together. Mr. Todd has set up a committee consisting of the mining industry, Yellowknife MLAs, Mr. Ng, Mr. Zoe and the private sector. The message has been strong and clear. We can't wait until we finalize our constitution. We can't wait until division. If we wait until we figure out our internal differences there will be nothing left for any of us to control. I think we've had enough doom and gloom. We could have the opportunity of a lifetime. Every country in the world, right now, is looking at the NWT with envy and aspirations to be in our situation. Wars have been fought over mines of this magnitude. I fully agree with Mr. Todd that if we take some risk we can win big, if we do nothing, we lose and we lose and we lose. Thank you very much.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Aivilik, Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It's good to be back.

---Applause

The past year has been a long and stressful one due to an investigation that you're all aware of which I will not dwell on. Now that it's over, I would like to assure this House and my constituents that I will continue working hard in fulfilling my obligations as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, and be active in the development and human development of the Northwest Territories.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Our municipalities have always had the need for adequate fire alarm systems. These systems are critical in minimizing the response time for our fire fighters. Some communities currently utilize a pull box system, a paging system accessed through telephones or a combination of both. There may be other systems in use which I am not aware of.

In these communities there are problems with both systems. Communities using the pull box system have encountered some pull boxes being unusable as a result of breakdowns which have proven to be difficult or expensive to repair. The problems with the pager systems have primarily resulted from the difficulties in activating the system, as an individual must have access to a telephone. As we all know, not all our residents have telephones. There have also been instances in which fire fighters have misplaced or forgotten to carry their pagers.

Madam Speaker, in a majority of our communities, the most recent problem has been in keeping up with the growth of new subdivisions. In particular, the installation of new sirens where existing ones are ineffective and inaudible due to their location. The sirens are critical in the fire alarm system due to many fire fighters and fire fighting support staff such as water truck drivers, RCMP and medical personnel, et cetera, not having pagers.

Madam Speaker, our government must place a priority on evaluating, upgrading or repairing all fire alarm systems in the NWT in order to ensure the effectiveness of these systems to protect the safety of the residents in our communities. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I was disappointed when we met at our planning committee in Cambridge Bay that we didn't discuss an issue on our order paper about the changes we could possibly make in our style of government. We keep on talking about constitutional development and yet the government we have is not the people's government, it's a government, in fact, that's figured out by 24 people. And there's been no real public debate about the form of consensus we have. It's something we decide among ourselves. This is the way we're going to do it. It seems to me that we're turning a blind eye towards the evolution of our consensus type of system so it can work better than it is.

There has been a proposal made by several people, which we no longer seem to want to discuss, about strengthening the form of government by choosing our Government Leader through a public vote throughout the territories. This could result in a more cohesive Cabinet because along with that election of a Government Leader there would be the power of a leader to choose her own Cabinet. It would be a more coherent government policy. The government would be accountable to the people, not just to the 24 of us. And it would give the leader a bit more power.

I'm not advocating this. All I'm saying, Madam Speaker, is that we seem not to want to discuss it. We want to discuss all these huge issues, yet our government and the way it's evolving we don't want to talk about. We just want to keep it within our walls so there's no public debate. Perhaps this forum could be used for the public to discuss how we should evolve, rather than to wait for things to happen. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, February 15, there was an election in Wrigley. This is one of the communities in my constituency of Nahendeh. A new chief and band council were elected. I would like to congratulate Mr. Gabe Hardisty, as the elected chief. Mr. Hardisty is no stranger to this position, since he has been the chief before. The other new band council members are Stella Pellisey, Mike Canadien, Martha Drake, Gilbert Antoine, Tim Lennie, who was the former chief, and there is a position that still has to be finalized. Mr. Hardisty replaces Mr. Tim Lennie as the chief. I want to recognize the leadership of Mr. Lennie. I believe he has shown great leadership to help the community benefit substantially. I would like to thank Mr. Lennie and the members of his council for their support and cooperation to provide programs and services to the people of Wrigley.

I am sure that Chief Hardisty and the new band council will be consistent and provide equal support to their people in the community. It is important that this House, and the government, recognize and support community governments, such as the band council in Wrigley. It is a community government, after all. In respect to this House, Madam Speaker, I will be absent from this House tomorrow to attend a community gathering in Wrigley in recognition of the new chief and council as well as thanking the chief and council from the past. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Minister of Social Services and Personnel, Ms. Mike.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a response to a question asked by Mr. Gargan concerning the salaries and wages of the Hay River Treatment Centre.

On February 9, 1994, Mr. Gargan asked for information about salaries paid out in the treatment centres. The salary scale is quite lengthy and does not lend itself to a verbal response. therefore, I have provided the Member with a separate list of salaries for different levels of staff in treatment centres. The salary varies depending on the training and the years of experience of the staff. The salaries also take into account the recent increase of $2,500 per year.

In addition to the salaries, the benefits provided to treatment centre staff include: -A housing allowance of $5,400 per year.

-A payment equal to 7.5 per cent of the base salary to cover the cost of employer's share of benefits and workers' compensation.

-A settlement allowance equivalent to that paid to government employees in the community. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Allooloo.

I would like to ask a question to the Premier about my Member's statement. Hazel O'Leary, the United States Secretary of Energy has promised to probe the radiation wrong-doings. Eight other US government departments and agencies have promised to follow suit. Madam Speaker, given this potential for new access to information, is this government prepared to follow up with our federal government to find out exactly what was dropped on the residents of north Baffin from 1956 to 1958? Thank you.

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Madam Speaker, when the issue was first brought up a few days ago, I immediately looked into what avenues we could expedite and research what happened at that time. The direction has been put out to the office in Ottawa to quickly consolidate what is in our knowledge now. As well, the Members of the Legislative Assembly and any other people who have had some experience in that area will be contacted, so we can consolidate at least the information we have. We will move as quickly as possible to try to finalize some of the questions that have been long-outstanding to the residents who were affected by that particular event. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I believe the Minister responsible for Housing has just been away to attend meetings with the federal Minister about the housing crisis. I wonder if there is any news to report to this House? Thank you.

Thank you. Minister of the Housing Corporation, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wasn't meeting with the Minister of Housing. I went to Cambridge Bay to meet with the KIA. I have no news to report. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs and it relates to the fire alarm systems. I would like to know if it is the department's responsibility to maintain these systems in NWT communities? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I believe it is the responsibility of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs to maintain fire alarm systems in the Northwest Territories.

Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister how often the department undertakes reviews of the fire alarm systems for adequacy and effectiveness to identify upgrading requirements as a result of community growth? Thank you.

Thank you. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Madam Speaker, I don't know if it is the department's responsibility to make sure that the equipment is inspected every year. I believe that is the Department of Safety and Public Services. From what I understand, it is the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs' responsibility to maintain. But, for the inspections...(Microphone turned off)...how well the equipment is operating is the Department of Safety and Public Services. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

I would like to ask the Minister then, if there are problems identified in fire alarm systems in communities, would it be his department's responsibility to rectify those problems? Thank you.

Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Arngna'naaq

.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I believe it is my department's responsibility. If there is a particular case the Member is alluding to, I would most certainly like to find out and would thank you for raising any problems they may be having. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Aivilik, Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have to apologize, I cannot stand up straight right now. My question is directed to the Minister of Education. In the last session, the Minister assured me that he would investigate on the difference between Chesterfield Inlet education council and the Keewatin Divisional Board of Education on the occupancy percentage of the Victor Sammurtok School. Has he done that yet, Madam Speaker?

Thank you. Minister of Education, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. We have raised the issue. However, I have not received the analysis yet of the differences. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. When does he expect to receive the analysis?

Thank you. Minister of Education, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will get on the matter immediately and see if I can report back to the honourable Member about the matter he raises.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Aivilik, Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Health. The hamlet of Coral Harbour wrote a letter to the Minister about three weeks ago, regarding the attitude and incompetence of the nursing staff in Coral Harbour. Has he received and responded to that letter? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Minister of Health, Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, when complaints come in with regard to Health, they are ultimately the responsibility of the boards. That complaint has been passed on to the health board and we will monitor the situation and watch their answers. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Social Services. Madam Speaker, in February of 1991, the federal Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs put a budget of $36 million together to go to native communities for family violence initiatives. It has been four years now since the money has been into operation, has the government submitted a budget for part of the $36 million?

Thank you. Minister of Social Services, Ms. Mike.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will take that as notice and will inform the Member as soon as I get the information. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Aivilik, Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Education. The community education council of Coral Harbour sent me a copy of a letter they had received from Mr. Ernie Comerford, manager of student services. The students just received this letter a few days ago, but the letter was written December 24, Christmas eve. This letter stated, "Please be advised that students who have applied for student financial assistance for the courses will not be receiving support as the course has not been accepted as post-secondary education." Arctic College has contracted an arts professor from the University of Calgary. The course has been recognized as a first year university course. How was it determined that this was not a post-secondary course? Thank you.

Thank you. Minister of Education, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am not totally aware of the specifics. But the indication to me is that the program that the honourable Member is referring to is not certifiable. In other words, there will be no certificate that is issued once this particular program is complete. One of the

requirements we have with regard to student financial assistance is any provision of that financial support is based on the fact that the resulting educational program is to be certified and the individuals certified. So, I believe that was the basis on which the decision was made with regard to student financial assistance.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I don't know who is right then because I am told that there will be a certificate issued for that ten-month course. Will the Minister find out who is right and act accordingly?

Thank you. Minister of Education, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes, I will take note of the honourable Member's suggestion and as soon as I can resolve this matter, I will report back either way, so he is aware of the circumstances, conditions and reasons why the department has made the decision it has.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The Premier stated earlier this year that there is a need for more employment and self-sufficiency amongst the individuals of the NWT. Will the Minister of Education try to follow the policy of the Government Leader in trying to provide student financial assistance. They are taking an arts course and working to improve the quality of their arts and crafts work so they will be more self-sufficient. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Minister of Education, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I just want to indicate to the honourable Member, in his absence I did indicate to the Members in this House that this government and myself, as Minister leading the initiative, are trying to ensure and negotiate with the federal government a utilization of programs that are available to us that will allow this government, hopefully in future, to provide the kind of financial assistance to those students that the honourable Member has made me aware of. We are seriously taking the issue to heart. We will respond, through our initiatives, to the very issues the honourable Member has raised with us, on a more permanent basis. In fact, on a pilot project basis if that is possible.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. You did ask two questions within your supplementary, and you are only allowed one supplementary. Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. New question. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Mr. Dent, could you repeat your question?

Thank you. Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment. This is with regard to building new schools and the criteria used to design new schools. I would like the Minister to tell the House if the previous SCOF recommendations from last year and this fall have been followed? We recommended that your department change the criteria of the new schools to be built this year. We all know we have been approving additional funds for additions to new schools, which have been recently built. The criteria was a problem. We passed a motion in the House to see if your department could change the criteria. Has your department done anything about changing the criteria for the size of schools. Mahsi.