Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last fall, the NWT Chamber of Mines, the NWT Construction Association and the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, along with a number of organizations in the mining industry, sponsored a mining symposium. One of the recommendations from the symposium was to look into the feasibility of providing a one-stop access approach to job and contract opportunities in the mining industry. A committee was formed to create a workplan and a strategy. Members of that committee included the YK Chamber of Commerce, the NWT Mobilization Group, Construction Association, mining industries, the NWT Chamber of Mines, and the federal and territorial governments.

The progress to date, Mr. Chairman, is as follows: the Human Resources Development Canada resume employee skills identification program, better known by the acronym as Connector, is being evaluated by the N.W.T. Construction Association. This is a program that could be used as a universal resume for potential employees in the communities and serve as a bank for employers to select potential workers.

The NWT Construction Association is also delivering a job placement, employer subsidy program directed at construction related industry jobs, including those at Koala Camp site. Office Compliments, here in Yellowknife, is also delivering a similar program for clerical administrative employees. Both programs are placing workers with a broad range of employers.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There has been some recent sentiment being expressed in different parts of the public by some spokesman lamenting the fact that perhaps they are tired, too old, they do not have the energy, they do not have the vision and the commitment to do more than a few things at this time. I just wanted to stand and say that we can do better than that. I think we are capable of doing great things. I think we are capable of doing many things and that we do not have to resign ourselves to doing one or two little things at a time. We can do work at the community level, at the regional level, at the national level, and at the international level. All we need is a vision, a plan, and the commitment. To those that say we cannot, I say to them, I heard you, now get out of the way. So that those of us that want to get the job done, can do it. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a reply to a question asked by Mrs. Groenewegen on January 29th, 1997. Mr. Speaker, I would like to provide a response regarding the details and timing of the review of Government of the Northwest Territories programs and services to seniors.

As I mentioned previously in the Assembly, the Social Envelope Committee is currently conducting a review of all GNWT programs and services, which specifically support seniors in the Northwest Territories. The review will expand on the analysis of programs and services which have already been undertaken. The review will identify the consistencies and inconsistencies of current programming. It will identify gaps or duplication in service and ways of improving seniors' access to government programs and services.

The NWT Seniors' Advisory Council is a valued advisory body for seniors in the Northwest Territories. We will be seeking input, comments, and advice from the council as we proceed with the study. We will also seek the participation of the council in conducting some of the research necessary to establish a clear profile of government programming. I will provide a progress report to the Standing Committee on Social Programs prior to the end of this session. I have asked the Social Envelope Committee to prepare a final report by May 1997, which is the scheduled beginning of the next session of the Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Education in relation to lost items in fires, especially in relation to items which belonged to teachers. I would like to ask the Minister if he would seriously look at considering compensating teachers by replacing those items which have been lost in the fires in Fort McPherson? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not aware if the department has a policy to compensate teachers for materials that have been brought to school for use in the teaching program. I will ask the department to advise me and inform the Member as soon as possible. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Regarding the policy, in case they are not covered, will the Minister make an attempt to sit down with these teachers and seriously look at items which have been lost in this fire, to see if there is a mechanism or a way to assist the teachers in replacing these items? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to be sure to involve the Beaufort Delta Education Council in any such discussions. After checking on the policy with the department, I will follow up and find out whether or not the Beaufort Delta District Divisional Education Council has a policy, and inform the Member whether that might be another avenue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In relation to the policy, could the Minister seriously consider looking at the policy and possibly making some revisions to it to allow, in the instance such as fires in the school, which are not, in case of arson or whatever, the fault of the teacher or the students. It should be revised so there is coverage for teachers and items that are brought to school by teachers for the purpose of teaching in the classroom. Is there a way to revise the policy to ensure that that coverage is there?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I will commit to discussing that with officials from the department and respond to the Member as soon as possible. Thank you.