Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I have stated previously, I do not know whether or not there is that stipulation on training on the job contracts. I would doubt that there is. I should point out that in our agreement with BHP, it is a voluntary agreement. It is not one that we can enforce and we are in the same situation with other employers. I have no doubt this government and my department encouraged Sirius Diamonds to do their utmost to employ northern aboriginal people, as well as other northerners, because this government does want to see a representative workforce. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not certain those contracts are public documents. I will have to look into that. In any case, since it is a contract between a private company it may not be entirely open for perusal, but there may be some way which we could black out certain portions of the contract to allow Members access to it. We will see whether or not that can be done. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is a big difference. One is a contract document, one is not. When this government has a contract, like a lease, the details of those leases are not made public, as Mr. Henry knows. We may or may not be able to make a contract available to Members of this House on the training on the job program, but I will say again, the agreement with BHP is not a contractual one. Thank you, Mr. Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. As we all know, the economic situation in the Inuvik region is in dire straits and not as plentiful in regard to job creation and economic opportunities like some other regions, but I would like to ask the Minister, especially one of the methods we have been using in the negotiating contract process is to ensure we get as much economic opportunities and benefits out of these negotiated contracts to stimulate not only the community, but the region as a whole. Especially when it comes down to employment opportunities for the Inuvik region and communities and also the opportunities for the local suppliers who have made it their business to establish business in the Inuvik region to supply goods and services to this government. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister is, what is this department doing to ensure that the maximum benefits from negotiated contracts are perceived in the local and regional level in the Mackenzie Delta?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my department does not have any direct involvement in negotiated contracts such as the one the Member refers to. As a sponsoring department, we are responsible for funding a contract like the new school in Fort McPherson, Aklavik, or in Tsiigehtchic. However, Mr. Speaker, the details of negotiating the economic impact and benefits from a contract to build one of those buildings would fall under the mandate of the Department of Public Works. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The funds will be coming from the Department of Education. That is why I want to ensure that the department allows those funds to flow directly to the communities and the regions when it comes to development of infrastructure for the department. I would like to ask the Minister who, at the end of the day, will have to make the final decision on exactly what process is being used. Can I get some commitment from the Minister that he will consider the different aspects of the regional economy and also employment opportunities when making that decision?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The process for the negotiated contracts is that the contract itself is negotiated by the Department of Public Works and Services so, I cannot make any commitment as Minister of Education. My department provides the money from the budget to build the school or learning center, but we are not responsible for determining the final contract arrangements. That, Mr. Speaker, is decided by the Department of Public Works and has to come back to Cabinet and meet the criteria that have been established for negotiated contracts. If it does, Cabinet will usually support it. Certainly economic benefit for the community and the region is considered by Cabinet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad to hear the Minister state that economic development for the communities and region is one of the priorities, but I would like to make it clear to the Minister that I feel it should be the only priority that you consider when you allow any major development or construction of infrastructure for the Department of Education. I would like to ask the Minister again, will he consider ensuring that there will be maximum benefits and opportunities for the communities and

the region in any such projects in regard to construction of infrastructure for the Department of Education?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would think that in any negotiated contract, those are considerations that are brought to the table whether it is Education, Housing Corporation, or Health and Social Services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.