Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, regarding the proposed Student Financial Assistance Program changes. Mr. Speaker, I am concerned with the length of time students are able to access grants. Will the proposed changes cap the length of time the aboriginal students can receive funding?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, the length of time the redesign proposes the availability will be for 12 semesters. There will be an ability to access up to eight more semesters through a repayable loan. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister explain why fundamental treaty rights of aboriginal people is being limited by time? The right to education is a fundamental, basic right to which aboriginal people with treaty status are entitled to. I do not see how it could be time-sensitive.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The consultation that took place dealt with the issue of getting more money into the hands of the students, with the issue of success, and with the issue of getting students back to the Northwest Territories, to be productive in the North. The recommendations were that the amount of time and availability would be capped. That was done in consultation with the aboriginal leaders and with the public. As well, it was reviewed by the standing committee of the previous government. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Item 6, oral questions. The Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe the question asked for some statistical information which I do not have here. I am not sure how well it is broken down. If it is available, I will certainly attempt to make that available to the honourable Member.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just to be clear, may I please have the Minister confirm he is taking the question as notice, and that he has to reply in the Assembly? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The Minister is not taking the question as notice. He is going to get back to you. But I will allow Mr. Ootes to answer that.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I mentioned to the Member that I felt her question dealt with statistical data, which I do not have at hand. We can provide it through the standing committee and committee of the whole. I have to advise the Member of that. If need be, I will give notice on it. That is what I am doing. Thank you.

I am still unclear as to whether you are giving notice or taking the question as notice. You have to be specific. If you are taking it as notice, that is one thing. If you are going to respond later, that is another thing. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think I have to go back to being a lawyer a bit here. I would really like the Minister to answer yes or no as to whether he is taking the question as notice. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Yes, I will take the question as notice, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. I will write that down as the Minister is taking the question as notice. As the clock ticks...item 6, oral questions. The Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. I would like to ask a question of the Minister regarding my Member's statement on the issue of the Arctic Winter Games, making sure our communities have the resources and the infrastructure in place to participate in recreational events, ensuring they have a good chance of making the Northwest Territories team.

Mr. Speaker, I made reference to some initiatives in my statement which this government can probably take regarding developing our infrastructure in our smaller communities and taking advantage of these facilities year-round.

I would like to ask the Minister if his department would consider looking at finding new ways and initiatives for investing in the smaller communities by improving our infrastructure so we can use these facilities year-round?

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.