Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I think it is important we identify all of the possibilities where funding can potentially come from for students to study in other jurisdictions. This may have already been done, Mr. Speaker. It is a case for me to sit down with the department to see what has been done. If nothing has been done, I will commit to looking into the possibility of finding possible sources for funding. There are other programs in the federal government that are operated in the Territories. We are trying to coordinate that whole area and get more information on it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the question of coordination, there are times that we find there is a lot of federal programs developed around educational opportunities. This government has to have a mechanism in place so we can consolidate what we are doing in the North so we can assist people who access these federal programs, so we can offset some of the associated costs. I would like to ask the Minister if he would look at a mechanism so that when federal programs are developed in the areas of education, we have the ability in the North to be able to consolidate what we give to our education system so they work hand in hand, not only nationally but territorially, so we can take full advantage of the opportunities these programs provide. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It would take a bit of time to talk in terms of consolidation. What we can certainly do is start to identify the types of programs that are accessible to students. Then, we can possibly provide a mechanism to make students aware of them, if we are requested to provide information on other sources of funding. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Regarding the idea of streamlining the programs and services, eliminating the red tape..., I think that is what students want. They want more ability to access these programs. I would like to ask the Minister about the possibility of looking at the Education Act to ensure we can streamline our programs so they are more operational? So students do not have the problems they find themselves in when trying to access federal programs and territorial programs at the same time.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will certainly take Mr. Krutko's concerns and suggestions under advisement. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Item 6, oral questions. The Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. The Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The cleanup of the Giant Mine site was started a few weeks ago. It is spearheaded by DIAND. It is done with the assistance of a number of organizations.

The surface cleanup is the part of the cleanup that has been initiated at this point. We are still waiting for some indication from the federal government as to what they may be prepared to do regarding the cleanup of the arsenic. How that will be addressed is unclear at this time, as we are waiting for word from the federal government on that part of the cleanup. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Supplementary, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am wondering if the Premier can tell us whether DIAND has given us any indication at this early stage of the timeline for the cleanup process? And also the cost of the process and whether or not that will cost the taxpayers of the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Minister Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The surface cleanup is being covered by DIAND at this time. It is estimated to cost roughly a half million dollars. To deal with the arsenic cleanup underground, the cost is estimated in the neighbourhood of $60 million. That is the responsibility of the federal government.

There was some indication the Minister of Environment, David Anderson, may be taking the initiative to address contaminated sites across this country. We have not heard any word, so we are awaiting some indication from the federal government as to the scope of responsibility they will be accepting and to the extent to which they will put resources to address the issue. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Item 6, oral questions. The Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment. As I noted in my Member's statement, Working Together is a very important youth employment program. As the Member for Yellowknife Centre noted on May 10th, 1999:

"the amount the program requires, $1 million, is very small, and surely the department can juggle funds within to ensure it continues."

Mr. Speaker, will the Minister ensure that happens this year?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Jake Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to go back to some of the background on this. This particular program dates back to 1997. It was part of the Government of the Northwest Territories Northern Employment Strategy. It was a two-year program, and was continued for an additional year due to its success. The money for that came from the Financial Management Board, and was above the departmental budget. The program offers subsidies for employers to hire and train young students. Some 1500 students have been helped.

I certainly share the concerns Mr. Dent and other Members have expressed. I am very well aware that young people will be returning home for the summer, looking for work.

I would like to see the program continued but, as I said earlier, funding for this program had come from outside of the department. It had been provided by the Financial Management Board.

I have just come into this department and must state that while we have the opportunity for the interim appropriation, at this point I have not been able to address this issue from a financial point of view. Considering the money came from outside of the department before, I would have to take into consideration where to find the funding. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am happy to hear the Minister agrees this is an extremely important program. I would ask the Minister, rather than waiting for an interim supplementary bill, will he commit to, now that he is in the position to make the difference, juggle funds from within and ensure the program continues? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Mr. Ootes.