Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have not had an opportunity to take the report to the Cabinet. I think it is incumbent upon the Cabinet to have a say in the final decision about which direction we take with that program or any additional programs that might be considered. I would remind Members that when we make a decision of this particular type, there has to be a certain amount of fairness in terms of how we deal with other potential programs. With great respect, we have not yet dealt with the whole matter of how we're going to support a program of this kind for the Inuit communities. You can't make a decision in isolation on that.
I agree with the Members when they talk about supporting excellence in programs, but the fact is, the present criteria doesn't require students to have excellence in terms of their marks for entering the program. If that is what you want, then we have to establish the criteria so that an excellence program is there for those students who want to fit into that program and can access that program. Right now and previously, in my view at least, the selection was more political than actual criteria-based. I want to get out of that business. I support the comment that has been made by the honourable Member, that people who qualify for the program should have earned their way there. I would like the whole matter to be reviewed by Cabinet. I don't intend to make any decisions in isolation of my Cabinet colleagues and once I know what direction they want me to take, then obviously, I'll be prepared to be more specific about the direction. That is the issue that has to be addressed in making final decisions about the program.
The other thing is, the present dollars which have been allocated are only enough to carry the students who are presently in it. If we're to add more, it would mean that we would need more resources for that program. You have to consider that as well. That is all part of the decision that has to be made in the end by our Cabinet.