Thank you, Mr. Evaloarjuk. Good afternoon. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce the release of the Play Safe - Play Smart Children's Colouring Book, designed to encourage children in our northern communities to play safely around municipal service vehicles or equipment.

This colouring book is a powerful tool to raise awareness among young children about the dangers of playing on or near community vehicles and equipment. It will also encourage parents to participate and work with their children to reinforce the important safety messages contained in the colouring book.

Mr. Speaker, the main character of the Play Safe - Play Smart Colouring Book is Granny Safety, who delivers many safety messages to young readers. The character of a wise, older woman and mother was used to promote to children the importance of respecting their elders and listening to their words of wisdom.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the Johnny Oyakyoak family in Cambridge Bay, who lost their precious son last year in an unfortunate accident involving a water truck. The Oyakyoak family agreed to dedicate the Play Safe - Play Smart Colouring Book to the memory of their son, Jacob, who is featured on the back cover, in the hopes that his spirit will live on and prevent other children in the north from suffering similar tragedies.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud of this resource and will be providing copies to each of my colleagues later today. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs will be working with the NWT Association of Municipalities to distribute the colouring books to community councils and schools for distribution locally. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At each Summer and Winter Olympics the International Olympic Committee sponsors a youth camp for people between 15 and 20 years of age.

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to inform the Members that Ms. Shannon Swartzentruber from Fort Simpson has been selected by the Canadian Olympic Association to be one of seven representatives from Canada to attend the youth camp.

Shannon was chosen from 162 applicants from across Canada, including eight who applied from the Northwest Territories.

This is a prestigious honour for this young woman who demonstrates so well the balance of education, athletic ability, volunteer experience and cross cultural sensitivity, which are the requirements for this program.

While at the camp, Shannon will participate in a variety of activities including;

- the opening ceremonies for the 1998 Winter Olympics,

- a tour of the Canadian Olympic village,

- a two day home stay program with a family from Nagano, and

- a cultural exchange program with participants representing other Olympic Nations.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Members to join me in congratulating Shannon Swartzentruber. She is a very special young woman and we wish her well as she represents our nation and the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, many times in this House grand pronouncements are made and symbolic statements are issued, and then forgotten.

For example, Mr. Speaker, certain days or weeks during a sitting, Members will wear ribbons for AIDS awareness, poppies for Remembrance Day, and most recently lapel pins for FAS/FAE awareness. Usually Members will do a statement or questions during this time, but nothing seems to happen.

During FAS/FAE week most Members did ask questions and statements were made, and it would seem all was forgotten. Mr. Speaker, the Baffin fetal alcohol network is a non-profit volunteer organization working to promote greater awareness and understanding of the issue.

Currently they need money to create a series of public service announcements aimed at educating the public. Pauktuutit the Inuit women's organization has had some publications and translations done but more is needed. The Baffin FAS group thinks that approximately $5,000 is needed for that work.

What is the point of identifying the problem if we do not have the professionals, the specialists, in place to do the work. Does the department have a strategy or plan to address these issues or again it is up to the health boards with their shrinking budgets again to identify the issue and prioritize it?

We all know groups and boards have to do more with less, but when you do more with less you get less done. Later today, Mr. Speaker, I will be addressing these concerns to the appropriate Minister. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to say hello to my wife and my children at this time. My youngest child is five years old today. It is his birthday.

Mr. Speaker, last week or this week, I have heard questions being raised in this House and I am very sensitive to the questions that have been raised in this House, questions about the lack of housing in the communities especially for government employees. I have talked with the mayors in the Baffin region communities and they have expressed to me that there is lack of housing for staff, especially relayed to me by the divisional board of education in the Baffin region.

I have heard the same employees talk about it too as well from the Department of Health or the regional health boards, lack of housing. The divisional boards of education from the regions have been requesting to meet with us as a caucus especially to deal with the inadequate housing for their staff.

I have a feeling that the government does not really recognize the lack of housing that is being faced by those boards. They have heard from the Baffin region side, but I think this problem exists throughout the territories.

Yesterday I heard through the radio as well about this issue, about the Kitikmeot region having problems. Mr. Speaker, will we be able to hear from the health boards and the education boards and when we meet with the NWTTA we will probably hear from them again saying that they have inadequate housing for their staff. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Thank you, Mr. Barnabas. Members' statements. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on January 6th and 7th of this year, I had the pleasure of meeting in Winnipeg with the Deputy Premier of Manitoba, the Honourable James Downey, who is also the Minister of Trade. Also present at this meeting was the Honourable Len Derkach, the Minister of Rural Development and a number of deputy ministers. Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this meeting was to discuss and promote increased trade between Manitoba, my constituency and the region in general. Also discussed was a possibility of a winter road between Arviat and Churchill and possible power grid options.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that the Manitoba trade delegation will be travelling to Arviat and Baker Lake on the 16th and 17th of February to discuss and promote business between the two regions. Mr. Speaker, a delegation of approximately 35 people, or guests rather, are expected to include the Premier, Honourable Gary Filmon; the Deputy Premier, Len Derkach, the Honourable Darren Praznik, Minister of Health, the Honourable Glen Findlay, Minister of Highways and Transportation and the Honourable David Newman, Minister of Northern Affairs and Energy.

Mr. Speaker, we welcome this delegation and see this as a first step in better relations between the two regions. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. O'Brien, Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize our elders, as my honourable colleague, Mr. Ng, announced in this House regarding the progress on plans for the International Year of Older Persons. Throughout our land we have many individuals who have contributed greatly to the formation of this country and for their respective regions. In my region we have had many great elders, Chief Jimmy Bruno, Chief Arrowmaker, Chief Mowhi and many others who have seen the future and realized the need for change.

All regions across our country have community members who have passed on or are in their later years who contribute to the betterment of the community and the country at large. These residents are a great resource for us all and should be recognized for their contributions. I believe this will be a very worthwhile event and I hope the International Year of Older Persons will be promoted and recognized by our regions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Rabesca. Members' statements. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, Mr. Speaker, I wish to once again visit the issue of value added industry and the diamond mining companies. Even though, Mr. Speaker, I note that BHP has exceeded their northern hiring and purchasing quotas as outlined in their socio-economic agreement, I cannot help but feel they are not willing to walk that extra mile with northerners. The north needs to diversify. If we continue to rely on a resource-based economy, our own economy will also continue to be subject to market fluctuations in the resource sector. The recent layoffs at the local gold mines are a prime example. What the diamond mining companies have to realize is that we are fighting for jobs for all northerners. We are fighting to stabilize the economy of our city, impacted by government cutbacks and mine layoffs.

Mr. Speaker, I am confident that the honourable Ministers Todd and Kakfwi are doing everything they can to lobby the federal government and the diamond companies to ensure that as much value-added industry as possible stays in the Northwest Territories. My honourable colleague, Mr. Todd, has gone even further, by stating that the GNWT would initiate a tax regime that could choke a mule if the Northwest Territories does not get a reasonable share of the secondary diamond mining spin-offs required. I am opposed to the introduction of a tax. I would much prefer, Mr. Speaker, to see jobs created and have the employees paying taxes to the government. We need one or the other. Taxes from the diamond producers or jobs for northerners.

Mr. Speaker, I understand that the diamond mining industry does not like the thought of any more taxes, and most certainly, not the kind that would choke a mule. I wonder, Mr. Speaker, if the diamond mines would consider selling to the Government of the Northwest Territories or a similar organization, a Crown corporation, some of the run of mine product so that Crown corporation could in turn sell those run of mine product to employers who would bring that industry to the Northwest Territories so that we could get a start on a diamond cutting and polishing industry and the related industries that that would create. Mr. Speaker, we have to look at the innovative solutions to ensure that as much of the secondary diamond mining industry stays in the Northwest Territories for the benefit of all northerners. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Henry. Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about the safety equipment and training for renewable resource officers. Mr. Speaker, recently the renewable resource officers in the western NWT requested more training in the areas of enforcement, specifically, conflict resolution, investigative techniques and the safety equipment associated with the use of force. I support their request, Mr. Speaker. Primarily because when I was going to school in Saskatchewan, there were stories of officers in the remote areas. They came upon people who were poaching and whatnot and several times people were badly beaten and had to go to the hospital and that sort of thing. I support this. The reasons the officers are requesting this is because there is an increased number of acts and regulations they are expected to enforce and investigations and prosecutions have increased. Also, the conflicts associated with enforcement have increased, along with fines and jail terms which also have increased. This increases the potential for conflict. Usually, officers are alone when they conduct routine patrols in remote areas and they often encounter people they do not know. Many of those people have firearms. In the past a wildlife officer was familiar with the majority of people whom he or she met. Today, that is not true. You never know, the person whom they stop might be someone who is on Canada's most wanted list. I am glad to see that the Minister has recognized the potential for a problem and has instituted a health and safety committee. I urge the Minister to accept the recommendations from this committee to ensure that our renewable resource officers can do their job properly and safely. Thank you.

--Applause

Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Picco on January 28, 1998, opinion on conflict of interest. As requested by the honourable Member for Iqaluit, I have further information with respect to the appointment of the Minister of Finance and Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development to the Aurora Funds board and whether these appointments represent a conflict of interest.

It is the opinion of the Department of Justice that there is no conflict of interest. Neither Minister is compensated either directly nor indirectly for work or activities associated with the Aurora Funds. Therefore, they are not in a conflict of interest as defined under the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act.

Section 2, subsection C of the ministerial guidelines states:

Ministers shall not, except as may be required as a duty of office, hold an office or directorship in any organization other than a social club, religious organization or political party.

I would like to mention in the course of checking into this matter, it was discovered that through an administrative oversight the appointment of the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development to the board of the Aurora Funds was not formally ratified by Cabinet. This oversight has no bearing on the conflict of interest question, nor on the Minister's activities to date in relation to the board. This appointment has since been formalized by Cabinet, as it is this government's opinion, backed by the legal opinion I have just outlined, that it is good government for the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, along with the Minister of Finance, to serve as members and/or directors of the Aurora Funds boards.

I appreciate the opportunity to provide this information to the House, and trust it addresses any concerns Members have, and draws the issue of a potential conflict of interest to a conclusion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Barnabas.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Ms. Pat Thomas, the president of the NWTTA. Thank you.

Thank you. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the department has always had a board development section within the ministry. What we have done as I indicated last fall as the result of recognizing the need to be more in tune, I guess, with some of the activities that the boards are undertaking, we established a monitoring and evaluating unit that is now formed under program planning support and evaluation. This unit will work with boards in identifying what their needs are in respect to some of the training initiatives of some of their staff. It will provide some of the overall broader support to boards that might not be available or make sense on a board by board basis and provide those supports as needed to beef up their operations.

In respect to some of the monitoring issues, once we set outcomes and standards and reach those agreements with boards, again, our intent is to be actively involved in monitoring some of those outcomes and working with the boards on an ongoing basis as they deliver programs, as they attempt to implement changes in the way they deliver some of their programs and ensure they will meet some of the outcomes and some of the standards that we would expect, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I understand it now, it is more of a broader unit that is going to be providing services to all boards. As required, again, there will be specific individuals, obviously with specific areas of specialization who will be expected to work with boards throughout the territories. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, all boards are actively undergoing board trustee development workshops. I believe a former Stanton board chair, Mr. Tony Chang, undertakes a number of these training workshops with all boards. The feedback I have had in speaking with trustees and with board chairs is that it is a very effective forum for them and a very effective workshop that outlines their responsibilities and gives them the decision-making authority. It outlines the guidelines and the expectations that they are required to be knowledgeable of in carrying out their responsibilities, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it would again depend, obviously, on the different circumstances of the board. If the board has undergone some radical turnover for whatever reason, there are a lot of new trustees, obviously, we would try to emphasize the need to have these types of workshops as soon as possible. In the case of other boards where there might be a slower turnover in respect to some of the trustees, they could plan some of these workshops where it would not, obviously, be of such an urgent nature and it could be of an ongoing nature in beefing up or re-establishing for the current board members and providing the new training for the newer board members, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question has health and environmental implications in it for the Premier. Mr. Speaker, over the Christmas holidays, according to my understanding there was an outbreak of rabies in Gjoa Haven, I believe, or perhaps throughout the region because the animals such as foxes and wolves have no boundary. My question to the Premier is what is the status of the concern? Thank you.

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is a shipment of vaccine being shipped to Gjoa Haven tomorrow. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you. I was busy looking at my note, I did not get what the response was. I understand that people and dogs were vaccinated around Christmas time. It is also my understanding that there was an outbreak of rabies in Gjoa Haven. What is the status of that, is the problem still there? Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure what started the outbreak and I would be pleased to check into it for the Member. I will check with the Department of RWED as well as the Department of Health. I would be pleased to give that information directly to the Member. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for Mr. Todd, the Minister of Finance. My question to the Minister is, I understand the mining companies do not like the idea of additional taxes. I would ask the Minister if he would make some comment on that from the perspective of what else would they be prepared to work at or assist the people of the north if they do not like the taxes? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Of course, nobody likes taxes and that is all understandable. I do not like taxes, but the reality of life is that countries like Canada, democracies, run on taxes and we need to ensure in this country, the Northwest Territories gets its fair share of the coming developments that are taking place around us. Perhaps, in my earlier comments in my enthusiasm to demonstrate my determination of our taxation, I inadvertently used the term, to choke a mule. It certainly was not my intention at the time to frighten investors. It was merely to demonstrate the sincerity and seriousness that I saw and the need for northerners to access their appropriate share of developments. Taxes are one option and, of course, Mr. Kakfwi, our Minister of RWED, is the lead Minister in looking at all the other economic opportunities that should or will hopefully unfold with the diamond development. Some of the areas, as you know, that we are looking at, Mr. Kakfwi is discussing with the industry is the diamond valuation sorting facility. We are also looking at the possibility of accessing the rough, so northerners have the capability to access rough at a reasonable price so they can do the kind of value-added industry that we believe, does not require subsidization and can, in fact, be done.

In fact, Mr. Speaker, I am told that some of this value-added stuff is being done in New York. It is being done in Tel Aviv.

It is being done in Antwerp, et cetera, so the argument I constantly hear by others, about the need for subsidization, I think really, it requires further examination before one makes those kinds of comments. This government's objective is to protect the interests of northerners. That is why they elected us. That is why they put us in the positions we have. I, for one, along with my colleague, Mr. Kakfwi, intend to do that.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for those comments. On the question of costs, I, along with some of my colleagues in this House, had the opportunity to see first hand some of the opportunities that would be available to the Northwest Territories from value-added industries that could go onto diamonds. I found Antwerp and London to be extremely expensive so I support the Minister when he says the north may not be that expensive to perform some of these added values. Could the Minister tell me if the idea of a Crown corporation or similar organization purchasing diamonds and selling them, themselves, has been floated with the mining companies and what their response is? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Todd.

It is currently being discussed amongst Cabinet and amongst the industry as one option we may wish to consider. Again, as I stress, Mr. Kakfwi is not here today. I am working with him in partnership to try to come to, if you want, a consensus as to what the bottom line should be for this government and for the people of the territories. I would suggest that some form of access to the rough diamonds should, in my opinion, as is done in every other jurisdiction in the world, be in the hands of northerners. Whether it is through a government agency or through the private sector, that is yet, I believe to be determined. Certainly the principles of accessing the rough or a percentage of the rough to northern peoples, surely is not only a right but it is good corporate business.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just cannot understand why, if a company has a product that it wishes to sell, it could not offer that for sale to any organization who wishes to buy? My question to the Minister is, will he continue with Mr. Kakfwi to pursue that with the company and his government to ensure that we can set up an organization to ensure that this happens and that we have some control over producing jobs in the secondary industries. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Todd.

In fairness to the current company, the course of discussions underway, BHP, I believe, has said that they are prepared to provide access to the rough diamonds to northerners and to Canadians. I should qualify that. They are prepared to do that. We just have to work out, I think, a system as to how that is going to occur. Certainly, as I said, Mr. Kakfwi and myself are trying to prepare along with my colleague, Mr. Dent, a common position that this government can take, that we can pursue with the industry, at the same time balance that out with the need for the industry to remain competitive for it has a right to a return on investment as we have a right to expect that northerners get the maximum benefit from this industry, that after all the diamonds are northern diamonds. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is in regard to my earlier Member's statement on FAS/FAE. My question to the Minister for Health is, does the Department of Health have a strategy to deal with FAS/FAE other than identifying the problem? For example, we do not have any specialists. Do they have a strategy in place? Thank you.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I understand right now, the department actively works with communities in identifying potential projects which are incorporated in FAS/FAE prevention component. As you know, not that long ago we also worked with the FAS/FAE working group in assisting them in developing a video that has been translated and sent to communities and schools across the Northwest Territories, which also outlines some of the prevention supports for caregivers and for parents of FAS/FAE individuals, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my earlier statement I did talk about prevention and the money that had been given to Pauktuutit. My question was on after we have identified the problem, what do we do for these people? I understand for example, in my region there is no specialist, no audiologist, no speech pathologists. If the nurse identifies them at the hospital or the nurse's station, there is

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, those resources and supports would be at the regional level. It may not be specialists but, certainly the programs would be outlined and individuals would be provided some of the support through the regional health and social services boards or through the regional education boards, depending on the circumstances and the requirements of the individuals, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not going to argue the point. Mr. Speaker, I have been in contact, for example, this morning with the Baffin FAS/FAE group As I just said, they are telling me that indeed, someone has been identified as a person who has FAS/FAE There is nothing available. I am not going to keep going back and forth with the question so I would ask the Minister, would he commit at this time to look into what services are available for a person who has FAS/FAE because it is a serious matter and I do not want to debate it? Thank you.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not intend to debate with the honourable Member, as well. I look forward that if he has specifics about individuals who are not receiving adequate support, I will be more than glad to look into the situation and report back to him on that. Thank you.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not a specialist in FAS/FAE. All I am doing is bringing forward a concern from my constituency from the Baffin region, the people who are working at ground level. I would ask the Minister to take it at face value. What I will do for the Minister, if he will commit to following up on the letters that I will provide, and I have one right here. I will table it in the House today, from the FAS/FAE people outlining their concerns. It is a concern. I am asking the Minister again, would he commit to looking at some type of help to have specialists, to have dollars available for the region? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will be glad to look into the issues that the honourable Member brings forward and find some suitable solutions to try and address those needs, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Roland.

The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I fully understand that health and social services is a territorial issue. The reason why the Keewatin action plan was spoken on, of course, is because there are some specific issues ongoing in the Keewatin right now that needed to be addressed to reassure the public and restore confidence and stability in the Keewatin health care system. That is the reason for the specific Keewatin statement. Also, part of that statement, Mr. Speaker, as you may recall is the mention of a physician, health care professional, nursing, social worker recruitment retention plan that I made a commitment to try to table into this House before the end of February, before we rise. That issue is a territorial issue, Mr. Speaker. With respect to that issue, it is not just specific to the Keewatin. It encompasses all boards throughout the Northwest Territories and the personnel that is required to deliver the health and social services for our residents, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe I have indicated, and I will say again recruitment or retention plan for health care professionals, including physicians, nurses, social workers is being developed and finalized as we speak. The plan is to table that in this House for Members to have an opportunity to debate it, to review it and to make comments and suggestions on whether it is appropriate or there are mechanisms that they would think might be more suitable, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, Mr. Speaker, I guess provided the manpower recruitment and retention plan is accepted and there are adequate resources and support provided to health care professionals, I would think it would allow for less turnover. It would allow for more retention of those individuals who would be able to provide more services for the residents of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Erasmus.

Page

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. It is in regard to the University and College Entrance Preparation Program which is nonexistent in Yellowknife at this time. I was wondering if the Minister could indicate why there is no University and College Entrance Preparation Program in Yellowknife this year?

The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister indicated that all the funds were used up by last fall. Could the Minister indicate how this program works? For instance, do they have funds to actually put on a program including instructors and the whole works or do they just have funds for the students? How does this work?

Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Considering the low education rates of the aboriginal people in the Northwest Territories, particularly with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation which is in my constituency, I wonder if the Minister could undertake to try to ensure there is a UCEP Program in Yellowknife this year, so that people can be assisted to get into university and college? Thank you.

Mr. Dent.