Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would be prepared to discuss that with the new chair of the Stanton Board, Mr. Larry Elkin. That is, whether or not the board would consider the services that are available originating in Rae. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would be prepared to enter into a dialogue with communities who would wish to repatriate medical travel services from the Stanton Regional Health Board to their communities or other regional health boards. Thank you.

Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is in reference to the Member's statement I made earlier, and directed to the Minster responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, the Honourable Jake Ootes.

Mr. Speaker, the Western Arctic Leadership Program, in its infancy, was fully funded by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. Now, as a result of limited funding, there have been reductions in programs and activities for the students. To further reduce funding would take away from the intent of this valuable program.

Mr. Speaker, in light of the comments by the Minister responsible for Youth, can the Minister confirm that there will be funding committed to the Western Arctic Leadership Program so it may continue?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the Western Arctic Leadership Program that is conducted in Fort Smith. As the Members have stated, it started ten years ago and was initiated by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. It has been funded by this department, as well as receiving funding from other sources.

The program has had a certain amount of good success. It was originally started on the basis of providing an opportunity for aboriginal graduates to develop self-confidence and leadership skills.

The program has graduated a number of people over the years. I have some statistics here on it, Mr. Speaker. The funding that has been provided to date contributed about $105,000 for program costs, and $61,000 for utility and maintenance costs. I understand that the funding from other sources has been reduced, Mr. Speaker.

With regard to the Member's question, I believe we would have to consider that as part of the business planning process. I cannot make a commitment at this particular time on that.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister responsible for Youth indicated earlier that the program should go ahead and recruit. Am I hearing the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment advising against this commitment?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand the Minister had stated that he would discuss this matter with me. We would do so at the earliest opportunity. In all likelihood, very early next week.

I think we have to follow the process of business planning, as we do with all other programs, Mr. Speaker. I do not think we can go outside of that at this particular point. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am hearing two different things along the same line of questioning. Am I to understand that the Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is reneging on a commitment made by the Minister responsible for Youth?

-- Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What I said earlier was that this process has to follow the regular process of funding that we follow with all programs that we operate in the government. That is the business evaluation process.

We are very interested in looking at this program and seeing what can be done. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have one final question then. Can I ask the Minister if the program can go ahead and recruit this year? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said earlier, the Minister for Youth had committed to meet with me next week. We will discuss this matter. I do have to follow the rules and regulations of methodologies of funding. We will proceed with that process through the business planning process, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to follow up with the Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development regarding my Member's statement today.

Could the Minister advise this House whether he supports the numerous requests of RCMP and DND officials to have the residency requirement of two years waived or possibly adjusted for these two groups? Thank you.

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