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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This matter was actually raised by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake and I tried to explain to him during the budget session the purposes for which the reductions occurred. The indications are that there is a change in reductions in the formula, but the overall increase for education generally was about four and half per cent. The concern that the honourable Member has also raised is one we that was worked out by arrangement. We began the year with a ten per cent reduction and we ended up coming to an agreement on two and a half per cent. I know this matter has caused some concern with some of the boards, particularly those boards with a deficit in this year, so I understand the concerns the honourable Member has raised.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since the Minister understands the concerns, can the Minister indicate whether or not his department has taken any measures to address these concerns that have been expressed by many of the schools across the territories? Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Not all schools across the territories have raised this as a major concern, but there has been a concern about the reduction of resources generally. On the other hand, some regions have indicated that they are satisfied with the increases in their budgets in other program areas. I just want to advise the honourable Member that when there is a change in the school-age population, we subsequently introduce a request to the Cabinet for increases in the resources to respond to the increased school-age population. So on one hand, one may believe there is no consideration, but we do consider it. There are a number of factors that have caused some concern in the regions. Unfortunately, in some cases, it is a result of overexpenditures. In others, it is a situation where there are more PYs in a particular region. It should be based on the formula already in existence. When we deal with additional population, we provide the resources once we know what the population increase is in each particular divisional board.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I recognize what the Minister is stating; however, the reality is there are some boards in a deficit situation. I look particularly at my riding and how it has affected and placed serious concerns on how this will affect the quality of education to the students who are being taught. What measures are the Minister's department taking to alleviate this fear to ensure that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is maintaining the same quality of education that it has granted over the years?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated in the public meetings in Fort Smith about a month ago, I advised them that I would have the departmental officials work with the South Slave Divisional Board of Education. For the last year, we have been working to try to find solutions to the deficit problem. We have been working in conjunction to find program initiatives and, in some instances, funding program initiatives that were in addition to the fiscal resources that were provided for. So we are trying to

find ways to support and help the divisional boards that do have fiscal problems.

I have advised Hay River and Fort Resolution, in my recent visit with the Honourable Don Morin, that I would give updates and information on the formula financing arrangement, so we could understand the basis on which the formula is provided to communities. Based on that, we can ensure that the best support was given to the communities. We are interested in working with communities. I have said so for several years now. I would advise the Member that we will continue to work with the South Slave Divisional Board of Education to make certain that if there are any major problems, we will try to find ways to support that board, and any other board that finds themselves in a fiscal situation as a result of those reductions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Whitford.