The Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have been briefed. I have heard the concerns raised by the people in the communities, my own included. Do I agree that the educational system is in crisis? No, I do not. Do I agree that there are issues to be dealt with and there would be a benefit from more revenue? Yes, I do. Are there many good and positive things about our educational system and is it still continuing to function? Yes, it is. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker the Minister has used up all of my supplementary questions. Mr. Speaker, I want to be assured that the Minister is personally aware of how widespread the concern with regard to education are. Has he heard from the people, has he received the message? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A person would have to be blind, deaf, and dumb not to have heard the concerns raised across the Northwest Territories. I would like to think I have none of those disabilities, and that I am very well aware of the issues. I have the letter here that my colleague referred to in her Member's statement. I know it is an issue of great significant to a lot of people. It is an issue of high emotion, to the extent they make what I consider some very personal comments in this letter addressed to me, they say in big bold letters, our children are worth it, are yours? Implying to me, that somehow, I have less of a concern as a parent or grandparent than another person in the Northwest Territories about the issue of education, or any less concern than any other Member in this House about the issues of education and how it will affect my family. Very clearly, I would say unequivocally that my concern for my family is probably not one iota less than Mrs. King. Like most parents, I value my children more than life itself. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the last number of days we have raised the issue of the need for greater revenues in the longer term. In the shorter term, we have been taking the steps that I have indicated we are going to, they are all underway. I would also like to point out that this budget process has been going on for eight months. The committees have tabled for the first time publicly, their report, which I have read cover to cover and all the yellow stickies indicate the commitments that we have made to the committee. Well, we all agree education is a priority, as a Legislative Assembly we have talked for eight months about education. Nowhere in here do I see one recommendation about taking 10 percent of this budget and moving it to education, or let us cut this and move it to education. This process that we are now in is the final end result of the budgeting process. All of the work that we do has been done for the most part in camera behind closed doors. We now have the public process where we stand up, the committee says this, the Main Estimates say how much money is there, this is the end product. We have two choices; we approve the budget or we remove money.

We have to plan for the future very clearly. If we are really serious about this, I know we have to let our constituents know that education is a big issue, and it is. How do we productively and proactively move ahead on that? That is the question. We have been involved with this for eight months. There are lots of recommendations in here in terms of process, how to make the existing system better, because I sat on that side until recently and I know the recommendations that we made. In the longer term we are looking for revenues. There are adjustments we can make within our system for improvements and we are working with the people on that. Very clearly, we have an obligation as an Assembly as well to, when we speak, let us be clear about where we stand in this process and what input has been involved so far. Thank you.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I said in this House yesterday, we as elected Members are representatives of our constituents, but I know that in Hay River at least, and I am sure in other communities, the people there who are concerned about education would like the opportunity to speak with the Minister to convey these concerns directly and in person. I would like to ask the Minister if he would agree to come to Hay River to meet with educators, parents, concerned citizens, with regard to the issues of education? Thank you.

Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I spoke yesterday morning with Mrs. King and I have talked to the Member, as well. I would be more than happy, at a mutually convenient time, as soon as our busy schedules will allow, to go to Hay River where I understand they are going to have a very warm reception for me. In fact, my sister-in-law told me yesterday at supper she may be one of the people carrying placards. I look forward to the trip to Hay River and a very interesting meeting with the friends and neighbours that I have there. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Ootes.