Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Education. Mr. Speaker, since September of 1995, and during my election campaign and continuing until now, there have been several concerns regarding the transfer of several programs from the Nunavut Arctic College campus in Iqaluit to other centres. Mr. Speaker, several groups, including the Iqaluit Chamber of Commerce and the Baffin leaders' summit have written or passed motions asking the Minister to carefully consider the proposed transfers as well as submissions from staff and students of Nunatta Campus against this transfer.

Mr. Speaker, through a letter and a communique, the Minister has stated that he is in favour of and has approved in principle, the transfer of four programs from Nunatta Campus to other centres. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister is, in light of the severe economic pressures facing the GNWT, why is the Minister continuing with this exercise which could cost this government in excess of $2 million when the program, infrastructure, administration, and logistics are already in place at Nunatta

Campus.