Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on January 19 and 20, 1995, Nunavut leaders, including Nunavut MLAs, and representatives of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, as well as regional Inuit associations and education leaders, met for two days in Gjoa Haven to discuss education issues in Nunavut. Representatives of key education organizations in Nunavut also attended, including: Department of Education, Culture and Employment; Nunavut Arctic College; Nunavut Implementation Commission; Nunavut divisional boards of education; the GNWT Division Review Committee; and, the DIAND Nunavut Secretariat. The meeting focused on the need to achieve vital cooperation and communication in planning and delivering education and training in Nunavut and for Nunavut. The meeting achieved agreement on a number of important issues.

I will table the approved resolutions later today. Critical decisions included agreement on an ongoing process for working more closely together. A key recommendation was that the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment should be requested immediately to appoint an assistant deputy minister for Nunavut to provide a focal point for the Nunavut education leaders and their organizations to work together with the department; that a working group of Nunavut education leaders be established to be chaired by the assistant deputy minister for Nunavut; and, further, that the Minister sponsor a further meeting of Nunavut education leaders in Nunavut in April 1995.

Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment about his response to these very important recommendations, and other recommendations of Nunavut education leaders on reforms to student financial assistance; gaps in existing programs and services in Nunavut -- particularly including trades and nursing training, for example -- academic programs for high school students including maintaining student residences; and, measures to strengthen Inuit language and culture, later today and throughout this session. I look forward to working with you, Mr. Speaker, and congratulate you on your appointment. Qujannamiik.