Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wanted to continue the expression of our pride in some young people -- some young role models now, I think, for the Northwest Territories.

I know that we have said a lot of good things about them, and I know that my colleague, Mr. Koe, who I have had the opportunity to curl against and curl with over the past number of years, ought to be very proud as a parent for the representation of his young children on behalf of the people of the north.

But I wanted to say that, sometimes, in this House, we have a tendency of maybe demanding a great deal from those who sit in this Chamber, and I don't think that Mr. Koe and his family and other parents who left the Northwest Territories should feel that they had a greater responsibility to the jobs that they had. Rather, I am proud of the fact that Mr. Koe and Linda, the Whiteheads, the Hamers and the Barracloughs, are the parents who actually went to see their children, because I think they were probably a great deal of support when that support was needed by the athletes...

Hear, hear.

...and I think that it is sometimes an area that we overlook. I think we ought to be proud of the representation that all the parents made on our behalf. Particularly, I don't think our colleague, Mr. Koe, needs to have any more campaign buttons or pictures posted, because they ran enough pictures of him on TV...

---Laughter

...you know, with the flag there, every time they made a great shot. I also wanted to say that, if anybody noticed in the game, there were other people from across the country from other provinces who were actually sitting with the Northwest Territories delegation, cheering for the Northwest Territories team, and I think that is probably the result of the convincing of our colleague and probably a number of the other parents.

So, with that, Madam Speaker, I wanted to pay tribute to the parents who went to Truro. Without their support, the situation that occurred may have been far more difficult than was experienced by those young athletes. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Baffin Central, Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Ningark on March 21, 1994, regarding provisions for transportation for handicapped people.

The transportation assistance available to handicapped people from the Department of Social Services is limited to funds for local transportation needs through the chauffeur assistance program. Local transportation expenses are intended to cover taxi costs and similar forms of local transportation. The department does not have a program specifically to provide for the purchase of snow machines and ATVs for handicapped people. Madam Speaker, I have a second return, if I may.

(Microphone turned off)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Pudluk on March 21, 1994, regarding Social Services programs available in small communities. In the smaller communities of the Northwest Territories, in addition to the transportation allowance, when required, persons who are disabled and unable to work are entitled to an extra $125.00 per month above the basic social assistance rate. Home support services are also available through a referral from the health centre to Social Services. This service, delivered by local home makers, provides assistance with household chores and personal care as required. Home maker relief for family care-givers may also be available in the home if it is needed. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 3, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Antoine on March 25, 1994, on telephone services to small communities. On January 20, 1994, the deputy minister of Public Works and Services met with Mr. Tavner, chairman of the board of NorthwesTel, and Mr. Dunbar, president of NorthwesTel, to discuss telephone service in the smaller NWT communities and the possibilities for future projects. NorthwesTel must prepare a service extension plan for the unserved and under-serviced communities as part of last fall's CRTC ruling. This plan must be filed by June 20,

1994. The department will review the plan before determining its next steps. Thank you.

Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Natilikmiot, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I haven't personally received any requests for that matter, however, I do want to indicate to the honourable Member that part of our long-term planning could consider the request that is made by the community that he's indicated.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Supplementary, to the same Minister, I would like to thank the Minister for stating that there may be a plan to add a gymnasium to the school. My supplementary to the same Minister is, can the Minister assure the community's education council and the hamlet of Pelly Bay that he will, in fact, make a gymnasium addition to the school in Pelly Bay? Thank you.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I just want to say to the honourable Member that it is difficult for me to indicate yes or no at this particular time. I want to inform the honourable Member that the divisional board in the region he represents has been very constructive in the way they've been doing business with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, and I don't see any reason why we can't work out a solution to the concern that the honourable Member has raised in this House.

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

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Madam Speaker, tomorrow. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Earlier, in my Member's statement, I talked about a youth conference held in the Kitikmeot. It is a sign of our youth becoming more active in trying to address some of their needs and wishes. I would like to ask the Minister responsible for youth, who I believe is Ms. Mike, what type of funding is available to support youth initiatives in the Northwest Territories.