Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Minister's comments and I am sure the people who are seeking to go back to school or want to get further education would also appreciate this. The Social Programs Committee had recommended that the Minister look into including Metis students into getting university/college entrance program funding. Could the Minister indicate at this time if he has done that and what the result was? Thank you.

Thank you. The honourable Minister, Mr. Dent.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister had indicated in his first response that there was a reference in the report on student financial assistance, that there should be more support given in this area. Could he expand on that, please?

Thank you. Mr. Dent.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister had indicated that perhaps the department could improve the current ABE programs so people are more aware of what their needs are when they are going to attend a post-secondary institution. Would he go so far to say they could look at developing and implementing an actual course so that long-term northerners can indeed take advantage of such a course and go to university or college and be much more assured that they would be successful? Particularly, if we can get the support of the Members here. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd. It is on statements that the Minister has made in his Budget Address for 1998-99. Mr. Speaker, I have had the opportunity as all Members of this House, to work with Mr. Todd over the past three years and to accept and rely a lot on the accuracy of information he has presented. The Minister presented in the budget statement a statement which states that the federal government regarding the BHP Mine would earn $4.4 billion in royalties and tax regime over the 25-year life of the mine. I listened to Dr. Lazarovitch from the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, state that the royalty regime and tax revenue generated by the federal government would be $1.1 billion so there is a large discrepancy between the two figures of $4.4 billion and $1.1 billion.

Mr. Speaker, this is important that this be clarified because if we are to be making a case to the federal government that more share of those royalties should be forthcoming to the government of the Northwest Territories. My question to the Minister, is will he challenge the figures presented by Mr. Lazarovitch and report the results back to this House in an effort to ensure that things are clarified? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Mr. Lazarovitch, he keeps coming up. What I will do Mr. Speaker, is talk to my deputy minister of finance and have her confirm with me or not that our numbers of $4.4 billion are accurate in terms of royalties and taxes for the life cycle of the BHP Mine. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Minister for that. I have asked the Minister if he would also, in the interest of trying to get as much information as possible, have his officials contact Mr. Lazarovitch and find out where he obtained his figures from. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Mr. Todd

I am not sure if Mr. Lazarovitch is a tax expert or not, but it is my understanding that he does work for

DIAND and has no responsibility in the tax regime and that our relationship with respect to taxes is with the Department of Finance. I am trying to confirm with my colleague that when I ask my deputy, Ms. Melhorn to confirm with me if our numbers are accurate based upon our discussions we have had with respect to Finance Canada who after all, collects the taxes and the royalties. I think that is the best approach to take. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would point out that Mr. Lazarovitch was on the radio talking about this particular subject, so he had the ears of all the residents of the Northwest Territories. I respect the Minister that will be forthcoming on that information, I think it is important that it be clarified. Would the Minister confirm to me and commit that he will supply that information at the next session of this Legislature? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Mr. Todd.

Absolutely, we will do whatever we can to get clarity on the issue of Mr. Lazarovitch making some comment to the press about taxes verses the position this government has taken in relationship to the total dollars we anticipate that will come from a 25-year life cycle of this mine. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Oral questions. Mr. Steen.