Thank you, Madam Chairperson. We are on page 31 of the Standing Committee on Social Programs. This is the report of the review of the 1999-2002 business plans and the 1999-2000 Main Estimates. I believe I started on student financial assistance in the collection of non-forgivable student loans. The committee would like the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to ensure that consistency is being applied in the collection of non-forgivable student loans and encourages the development of an adequate tracking system for the Student Financial Assistance Program. Further, the committee noted that aboriginal students not covered in the Indian Act, are required to pay income tax on their student grants. The committee requested information regarding income tax obligations for non-aboriginal students, aboriginal students covered under the Indian Act, and aboriginal students not covered under the Indian Act.
Culture and heritage. Aboriginal languages. During the review of the business plans, the committee raised concerns in regard to aboriginal language communities that have not submitted proposals for funding for the development of language strategies. As a condition of funding, organizations are required to have their language plans developed by March 31, 1999. To date, no proposals have been received for the North Slavey, Chipewyan or Inuktitut/Inuinnaqtun languages. The committee recommended that the department play a lead role in the development of a strategic plan for aboriginal languages, in conjunction with languages communities and the Language Commissioner. The department's response was that they "will continue to take a leadership role in working with the language communities in developing an overall framework of language programs." That is in quotes, Madam Chairperson. ECE has also offered to assist aboriginal organizations to develop their own strategic plans for revitalizing, developing and promoting their languages". The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment is also the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Official Languages Act. The Northwest Territories Official Languages Act is due to be reviewed. The committee recommends that the role and mandate of the Languages Commissioner be examined as part of the review of the Northwest Territories Official Languages Act.
Culture and heritage policies. The preservation and protection of culture and heritage is important to the people of the Northwest Territories. During the review of the business plan, the committee noted that there are government policies relating to culture and heritage that date back to the late 1980s and early 1990s. These policies may be outdated or no longer relevant. The committee recommended that there be a review of government policies relating to culture and heritage to make the policies current. The department committed to undertake this review in 1999-2000.
Madam Chairperson, perhaps I could take a moment and have my colleague, Mr. Henry, the MLA for Yellowknife South, continue reading the report? It is quite lengthy, if that is agreeable with the chair?