Madam Speaker, the Science Institute of the Northwest Territories, with the support of Arctic College, has established three new programs to increase northern involvement in research. These programs are the research assistance support program, the research fellowship program and the research associate program. Each of these programs is structured to support a different aspect of northern involvement in research activities.

The research associate program will offer ten to 15 researchers, who have associate status, office space and basic administrative support in return for a commitment to work closely with the Science Institute and college on science, technology or educational matters. The total fund for this program is $10,000. These new programs will begin immediately. Program information is now being distributed to the research community in northern and southern Canada.

The research assistant support, research fellowship and research associate programs will help us link post-secondary programs in the north with the scientific community. They will promote understanding of scientific research and projects, and will provide northerners, including college students and staff, with the opportunity to become effectively involved in science. Thank you.