Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister for the clarification on that. As I said yesterday, there was a proposal put forward within the community of Inuvik that focused on family situations. Could the Minister make me aware and Members of this Assembly aware that if a proposal is put in, what are the procedures when being accepted or refused? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, funds have been allocated on a regional basis or a community by community basis so that we have targets for each community to make sure that one area does not eat up all of the funding leaving none for others. Community groups submit their applications which are reviewed by an interdepartmental committee at the regional level. The

applications do not come back to headquarters, they are reviewed in the regions. This interdepartmental committee will then weigh the merits of each application, consider the amount of funding that is available by community and decide on which of the projects proposed will receive funding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister inform us the timing of proposals. For example, the upcoming year 1998, can proposals can be submitted as of April, 1st?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the current fiscal year, packages were sent out to communities in June advising community groups how they could apply. We have had updated packages put together so that there will be a better understanding of what constitutes a good program. As well, we have embarked on some training programs and put regional staff in place to help communities develop their proposals. Communities can approach regional staff, as in our regional offices, for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment for assistance in preparing applications. Applications can be submitted almost any time because the funding will be in place, assuming approval of the budget, as of April 1st for new programs. Since some may be continuing programs we would expect that there will have to be some process whereby applications can be reviewed prior to April, 1st. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are addressed to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs and it is in regard to the situation I referenced in my Member's statement about the midget hockey selection process which appears to have been badly manipulated and young hockey players' hopes and dreams trampled callously underfoot. I was wondering if the Minister could give us an update on this issue as I passed on to her some concerns clearly identified in letters from my constituents. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the issues of big concern to me coming out of this particular incident is that, in fact, now that this one has come to light there are comments and feedback that this is not an isolated case and that, in fact, when you start picking all-star teams, the system we have in place seems to be one that is manipulated. Would the Minister assure this House that she will take steps to ensure that this issue is addressed in its broader context so that it does not occur in other areas as well as I have been told that it does? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the other final issues I would like to bring up today in regard to this particular matter is the fact that prior to this tournament it was apparently agreed to that the winning team from this tournament would go to another Canada Cup game down south, but for some reason once the South Slave won the tournament the rules changed and the Arctic Winter Games team was, in fact, chosen to go on this tournament that was formerly agreed to have the winner go, which was, as I indicated, the South Slave. Could the Minister also ensure that she makes a special effort to get to the bottom of that

particular issue as well? There has to be some reward for winning. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Income Support Program is delivered in many communities across the north now on a contract basis, wherein the department contracts with someone within the community to deliver the program. The funding for the position is one full-time equivalent for 2,000 cases per year. We have found in almost every community this is an acceptable ratio and seems to be successful. I know I have talked to the mayor of Aklavik and to the Member and there is some concern about the formula working in their community. Part of the problem seems to be that the regional offices increased in that community. Funding in excess of the formula, approximately $14,000 a year, is in order to provide some counselling and additional client support. I would say to the Member, if there is a problem with that part of the program, I would encourage the community to talk to the regional office and outline the problem to see whether or not there is some way to deal with it. We are finding that the one full-time equivalent for every 2,000 cases is working across the rest of the territories. Therefore, it is difficult for me to justify a change for one community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.