Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Public Works and Services. Mr. Speaker, there have been concerns brought to my attention about government warehouse facilities and vehicles being used for employees' personal use. I would like to ask the Minister of Public Works and Services what he is doing to ensure that employees are aware of restrictions that exist on the use of government vehicles and facilities? Thank you.

Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, this question comes up every so often, and I guess every so often our employees need to be given a gentle reminder of the rules and regulations. With the Member bringing it to the attention of the House and bringing it to myself, tomorrow I will issue a directive or a letter to people informing them of the rules and regulations with regard to the use of vehicles or any other equipment for personal use. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, and I appreciate that, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, frequently people in communities are aware that improper use of government property has taken place but are concerned about retaliation or scapegoating if they inform the appropriate authorities. I have even heard of people being reluctant to report that alcohol or drinking parties are at times held in GNWT warehouses because the individuals are sometimes affiliated with people at the higher levels of government. I would like to ask the Minister if he can provide assurance to this House that incidents that are brought to his attention such as this would be considered confidential, and will he protect the interest of individuals who bring this information forward? Thank you.

Mr. Pollard.

Yes, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

My final supplementary, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister of Public Works and Services personally look into whether complaints about the improper use of government property have in fact been received and acted upon by his departmental officials since 1991? Thank you.

Mr. Pollard, and you still have a final supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Yes, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Transportation. Mr. Speaker, there is a highway system that runs into BC and joins the Alaska Highway just west of Fort Nelson, BC. This road is an important corridor to the Northwest Territories in that it's advertised in a lot of publications such as the Explorers' Guide, which is a government publication and the Mackenzie Connection newspaper. This is a joint venture between Alberta, BC and the Northwest Territories; they call it the "loop." This area is drawing a lot of tourists in vehicles, bus tours and so forth. It has been said that the road system is in extremely poor condition and there are complaints from visitors; the poor conditions of the road are creating bad publicity. I was wondering if the Minister of Transportation could tell the House if his department is looking at ways of putting some improvements into this highway system.

Minister of Transportation, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm afraid that question has me stumped today. I will have to take it as notice. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Item 7, written questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you. Item 7, written questions. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a written question for the Minister of Transportation. Would the Minister of Transportation please advise the House of the following:

1. The exact dollar figure allocated to the maintenance of the following:

a) the Trout Lake winter road;

b) the Jean Marie River winter road; and,

c) the Nahanni Butte winter road.

2. The exact dollar figure expended to date in maintaining the following:

a) the Trout Lake winter road;

b) the Jean Marie winter road; and,

c) the Nahanni Butte winter road

3. The sources from which the information is based on answering the previous two questions.

4. What is the Department of Transportation's current policy with regard to establishing the closing date of the three winter roads for the following:

a) Trout Lake winter road;

b) Jean Marie River winter road; and,

c) Nahanni Butte winter road.

Thank you.

Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that it is not always the case that Members read returns, but I think it is important, Mr. Speaker, for the information of Members. This is a return to a written question that was asked by Mr. Patterson on February 17, 1995 regarding notice of the development of high school programs and the reduction of services.

About two years ago, in March 1993, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment held a workshop on student accommodation programs in Fort Simpson for representatives of all school boards. The workshop was scheduled at that time because of the increasing need for small student residences resulting from the extension of senior secondary grades in communities. The workshop addressed the design of small residences, the hiring and training of suitable house parents and examples of effective student support.

Over a year and a half ago, I began to inform school boards of the need to plan for the implementation of the senior secondary schooling policy approved by Cabinet in July 1993. The policy states that senior secondary programs will be offered in every board and divisional board jurisdiction in a student's home community, or as close to home as possible. Specifically, on July 12, 1993, I wrote to the Baffin Divisional Board of Education to confirm an additional teaching position for the extension in Cape Dorset and to request that the board begin developing its plan to phase out the use of the Ukiivik residence in Iqaluit.

In September 1993, the department wrote to all school boards to offer assistance in the development and implementation of new strategies for student accommodation. Other letters were also written on related issues, such as the review of future student enrolments, board plans for evaluation of student accommodation, and options for future directions in this area. As well, letters were written directly to the director of the Baffin Divisional Board of Education on these issues.

Later, on February 25, 1994, in response to oral questions in the Legislative Assembly on the quality of education in community schools and cost-estimates on education programs, I stated that we were considering the possible closure of Ukiivik and Grollier Hall because of the decline of students in those particular residences as a result of the extension of senior secondary grades in communities.

Then, in November 1994, I tabled "A Strategy to 2010," which states that we need to make investments that give long-term cost-benefits and one of the approaches noted was to close large residences over a period of years, beginning immediately.

I am sending the Member for Iqaluit a copy of all the letters identified here, providing notice and advice to school boards on the development of senior secondary schooling and, as a result, on alternatives to accommodating students in large residences. I am also pleased to inform the Legislative Assembly, as I noted in an earlier statement, that the review reports on the large residences are complete, and that the department is planning another workshop on student accommodation strategies for board representatives this spring. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have another response.

Thank you. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a reply to a written question that was asked by Mr. Patterson on March 7, 1995 regarding review of the Arctic College environmental and renewable resources technology program.

The college, in cooperation with the department and major stakeholders, undertakes program reviews on a regular basis. Last year, Arctic College reviewed the diploma level environmental programs which it offered. The study, completed by Avery Cooper & Co is now being used to guide discussions of how to improve program activity.

I will -- and I think I have already -- be providing the Member for Iqaluit with a copy of the review of the environmental technology program and renewable resource technology program which was completed for Arctic College by Avery Cooper & Co today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 8, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.