Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, funding for student transportation is provided consistently across the Northwest Territories as part of the school-based funding formula. The bussing formula provides boards with funding, based on a set of criteria, which the Minister has asked for, which includes, for instance, five to six year olds, their board will qualify for funding for busses if those students live 500 metres or further from the school facility; seven to 10 year olds can be bussed if they live one kilometre away from the school; and 11 year olds and over can be bused if living 1.5 kilometres from the school facility.
Mr. Speaker, in the new Education Act, education bodies will hold responsibility for transportation of students, and we will be proposing some general regulations to assist them in determining how to provide the transportation. As I'm sure the Member is aware, the department is currently consulting on regulations for the new Education Act with education bodies and registered organizations interested in education. Mr. Speaker, the regulations governing transportation will be available for public comment in April. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.