Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Good afternoon. The House will come to order. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Krutko for sitting in for me yesterday. After reviewing the comments he made during question period yesterday, we will be sure to hold him to those comments as well. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to advise the House that the Mackenzie River ice bridge on Highway No. 3 to Fort Providence, Rae-Edzo and Yellowknife is deteriorating at a rate faster than in recent years. Residents and businesses north of the Mackenzie River have benefited, in recent years, from the ice bridge remaining open until mid-April. The earliest recorded closure was on April 12, 1996.

Mr. Speaker, this year, warm temperatures and rain showers at the crossing will likely force a closure, as soon as this weekend. I regret to say that when Mother Nature brings warmer weather, there are no practical, cost-effective means of keeping the ice bridge open. If weather conditions change and the temperature falls, the Department of Transportation will keep the ice bridge open as long as safely possible.

Mr. Speaker, the department encourages highway travelers to contact the toll-free highway information line to confirm conditions before they begin their trip. The information line is updated as conditions change. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to address a very serious issue that I was informed of yesterday. It ties in to what I said last Friday on information and how we receive it. Mr. Speaker, at the start of the 14th Legislative Assembly, we were told that this government would be more open and transparent, and that we would be able to win the respect of the people in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, what I have been finding during the interim appropriations is in fact, almost the opposite. The only time I have found out about the restrictions or the reductions that are happening in my community and region of Inuvik, is in this arena, on the floor in committee of the whole. Mr. Speaker, that is unacceptable.

The previous practice of Assemblies was to inform Members before notice was given in such a matter. I was speaking to the mayor in Inuvik, Mr. George Roach, and he said he was on the phone with the honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment the other day for about 15 minutes, and this topic did not come across the lines.

Instead, we wait until we are in the House, trying to pass a budget, and at that time, only after questions, does it become apparent that is happening. Not only is it the Aurora Campus that I am concerned about, it is every project that was in the Education, Culture and Employment's capital plan for Inuvik that has been deferred.

Mr. Speaker, I intend to pursue this and I will be questioning the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment on what kind of consultation he had with any of the residents from my community. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about the no-layoff policy that is currently in effect that is a carry over from the 13th Assembly. It was put in place for a specific period and for a specific purpose. As we await the direction from the new Cabinet on how they want to deal with this particular issue, I wanted to take this opportunity to make some comments.

During my campaign, Mr. Speaker, I was clearly on record as saying no more job cuts. What I think we need is not a no-layoff policy, we need a redeployment policy. I know, under the old policy, there are dozens of positions sitting in government in what would otherwise be redundant positions.

The current policy, I believe, ties the hands of managers. As these positions would have been redundant in otherwise normal circumstances, the Northwest Territories, the government, is left with expensive resources tied up while there are desperate needs in other areas in the communities.

Under the policy of the 13th Assembly, these positions have been retained with no opportunity to have them do anything but sit there. Mr. Speaker, clearly this is not fair to the departments, it is not fair to the employees, and it is not fair to the people of the Northwest Territories. It leaves employees stuck in limbo without the benefit of layoff options or a clear career path left for them.

Mr. Speaker, I am not suggesting that layoffs will be an answer. They are a final option when all other opportunities have been explored. What we need is an effective redeployment service that can help employees move to areas of government where they are needed. We have to provide training and support for them to make the adjustment, and in some cases, the most appropriate move for employees in the department will be layoffs. The employees should have that option in exceptional circumstances.

Mr. Speaker, this is just one piece of the bigger issue of effective use of our very, very important human resources. Priorities change over time. Some programs need less time and attention than others did before. What we have to do is have a coordinated policy and a coordinated way to move employees from areas of lower priority to those of higher priority, and not necessarily in the same community. We have to be able to move our very valuable human resources to where they are most needed. As we have demonstrated in this House, the need is there. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am still very discouraged about an incident that occurred during the committee of the whole while we were reviewing the interim appropriation for the Department of Transportation. I seriously considered rising on a point of privilege. However, Mr. Speaker, I have calmed down a bit since then and will contain myself.

With a few clarifying remarks today, when we are reviewing documents provided by the Department of Transportation to the committee of the whole, explaining the differences between the 1999-2000 capital plans and the 2000-2001 capital plans, I noted that the department made reference to remarks that I made in a meeting with the Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development.

Mr. Speaker, that would have been the basis for my point of privilege. Remarks and procedures of committee meetings are the property of the committee. I was concerned, Mr. Speaker, that in the two pages of explanations on the differences between the 1999-2000 capital plans, and the 2000-2001 capital plans, that I was the only MLA mentioned by name. In fact, Mr. Speaker, every other explanation was dealing with a technical matter.

Mr. Speaker, I was concerned until I realized, in a way, the department actually had given me a backhanded compliment for doing such a great job in committee of the whole. I want to assure the constituents of the Mackenzie Delta, Aklavik, and Tsiigehtchic that I will continue to fight for every capital dollar for my constituency, the Mackenzie Delta. I will continue to examine every line item that is in, on, or about this interim appropriation and capital items, to ensure the needs and aspirations of all Northerners are met. I will fight to ensure that the needs of rural communities are not forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member for Mackenzie Delta is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You have unanimous consent, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, if I have to make what they call a big deal about any item in this House, I definitely will. With that, Mr. Speaker, thank you very much.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier today in the Great Hall, the Northern Manufacturers' Association, in partnership with the Government of the Northwest Territories Regulatory Reform Secretariat helped launch the Canadian Standards Strategy. I would like to take this opportunity to speak a little about this Association and highlight the good work it is doing.

The Northern Manufacturers' Association was formed in 1997, Mr. Speaker, to improve the competitiveness of territorial manufacturers and to develop a strong and vibrant northern manufacturing industry. It also serves as a voice for the northern manufacturers. Its membership has grown from nine original members to over 40 members in just over a year. It currently represents communities all over the North, including Nunavut.

Mr. Speaker, northern manufacturers produce a wide range of products, everything from clothing, accessories, furniture, windows, log homes, fiberglass, steel tanks and paper products, to name a few. In this House, Mr. Speaker, we often speak about the need to diversify our economy. I strongly believe that the manufacturing industry is a key to our diversification potential.

The northern manufacturing businesses contribute to our economy in a very strong and direct way. They create a wide array of jobs and foster a strong community sprit in the process. More manufacturing in the North means less imported goods. It also means enhancing our northern economy by exporting our goods to the markets world over.

Already, Mr. Speaker, our manufacturers export our products not only to the rest of Canada but to international markets such as Russia, the Far East, Japan and Alaska. Most importantly Mr. Speaker, northern manufacturers are homegrown. They live and work in the North. They know the consumers, and they know how to produce products that meet the standards necessary for the rigors of the northern climate and conditions.

Mr. Speaker, may I close this statement by saying the association deserves our support and northern businesses need our commitment to do everything we can to help them grow and prosper. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to focus my Member's statement on the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation's need for a new approach to meeting the housing needs in our smaller communities.

My colleagues have heard me speak of the Extended Downpayment Assistance Program as being essentially useless to the communities I represent. The gap between who the corporation will support and what the banks will offer in the way of mortgages means that there are viable, potential homeowners who cannot realize their dreams.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, the decision to withdraw social housing funding by the federal government is patently unfair to the North. The decision that the aboriginal residents of the Northwest Territories are not eligible for any of the millions of dollars that the CMHC and DIAND make available for on-reserve housing is also unfair to northern aboriginals.

It is time, Mr. Speaker, time to change the policies of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation to meet the fiscal and political realities that we face in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, community control over the programs offered in the community is paramount. Who is the corporation to dictate to a community what kind of housing is appropriate to the community, or how the funding should be spent? Communities must be able to decide whether they should continue to build one or two stick-built houses each year, or use that same money to build a four-plex, or four or five modular homes.

Mr. Speaker, there are many barriers to meeting the housing needs in the smaller communities. Some of the barriers are economic, some are political and some are the fault of the policies and practices of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. Policies that state that modular homes and trailers cannot be used to provide social housing may no longer be realistic. I cannot stand by and watch two or three generations live in the same overcrowded stick-built house, when I know that it is going to be four or five years before the situation can be alleviated.

That is the reality in the communities without a viable housing market. I no longer believe that the economic gains and the short-term jobs are worth it, given the overcrowding and desperate core need. If the community decides that trailers would better meet their core social housing needs, so be it.

The Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation has already committed to looking to aboriginal development corporations to build social housing and leaseback to the Housing Corporation. This is a good idea and should be followed up on. I will be asking questions on this issue today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Mr. Nitah, your time has expired.

The Member for Tu Nedhe is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was approached this morning by one of the organizers of the Edmonton Oilers Alumni Hockey Challenge Game and I was asked to put my blades on and to play for the Yellowknife team. This hockey challenge is to take place tomorrow evening at the Yellowknife Community Arena beginning at 7:00 p.m.

The Yellowknife team will include a number of local youth from The Yellowknife Minor Hockey Association as well some old veterans from the Yellowknife Old-Timers.

It is important because the proceeds from the fun-filled event will go directly towards supporting the Yellowknife Minor Hockey Association and to help support this year's Caribou Carnival. I encourage all Members to come out to support this worthy event and come and cheer team Yellowknife on. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

At this time I would like to recognize in the gallery, the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, Mr. Dan Marion, and with him the Commissioner-designate Glenna Hansen. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Mr. Barry Greenland the sub-chief of the Inuvik Nihtat Band Council. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Bob Doherty, the executive director of the Manufacturers' Association. I believe he is up there with another person, who I am assuming is Allison Barr, who I believe works for the association. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Indeed they are there. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was saying in my Member's statement, I am growing quite concerned with what has been occurring as we have been going through the interim appropriation. Mr. Speaker, this government, while running for office, spoke of being open and transparent but I am beginning to feel, and I feel I must express it here. The only thing transparent about this government is the government's commitment to transparency. Mr. Speaker, I wrote a letter to the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment on January 25, 2000, regarding the Aurora Campus project. I received a response February 11, 2000. At the end of this letter he states: "I will however keep you apprised of the plan for the campus as this information becomes available." I would like to know from the Minister if this information became available last night between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The information became available to me when we were doing the review of an overall government look at where reductions could take place. I believe it was about a month ago, and I have to point out, Mr. Speaker, that this has been a very unusual situation that we are in. We are dealing with an interim budget which normally is not done by that process. The process normally, is one where we have business plans and then we go into a budget process, so there is a great deal of procedure which we follow. Because of the late election and because we did not sit until January and February, it has created tremendous pressure on getting things done, getting things into place. So, it has been a difficulty trying to stay on top of all the needs that we need to meet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am aware that, in fact, interim appropriations have been done in the spring of 1992 and 1996, 1999, and again this year. Mr. Speaker, the Minister stated that he was aware of this approximately a month ago. He wrote me a letter and, approximately 18 days after that, the Minister was aware of this a month ago and he did not have the decency or the courtesy to inform me, as a Member or my community. When is he going to inform the community? Is it after the fact that the budget was passed and then we would find out the following day? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes it is true that there is an interim budget. There are some precedents for interim budgets, 1992 and 1996. But there is very little precedence for budget cutting the way we have to do at this particular time, and it has caused some difficulties. I do recognize the Member's concern of not being informed, and I do apologize to him for that. I think he deserves to have been informed. I have to also state about my particular position that I am not sure, having not been in this situation before, under these kinds of circumstances, as to what my particular responsibilities are, and where I can draw the line of what I can release and what I cannot release at one particular time. Simply because of the new process that we have had to go through with this particular process. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The only thing new about this is the evasive maneuvers the Minister has been able to make around the question, which is who has he contacted in my community about this project? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have not contacted anyone on my part, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is there going to be any formal notification besides the fact that this has come out in public now in this House, in committee of the whole? Are you going to be contacting the campus or the mayor in my community? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I did inform the board of governors of Aurora College in a meeting that the Inuvik Campus would be delayed. That was in response to direct question. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is addressed to the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation. Now that it is clear that the Power Corporation is splitting and that there is a significant change coming, there is a possible regulatory review being undertaken by the Public Utilities Board. Communities like Fort Simpson are looking at alternate sources of power. Can the Minister tell me, in relation to a broader energy policy and strategy for the Northwest Territories, what steps he is going to take to insure that the Power Corporation plays a key role in the development of an energy strategy for the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, the Honourable Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are several issues that are key in the Northwest Territories Power Corporation. One is the division of the Power Corporation between the Northwest Territories and Nunavut and the other, of course, is the issue with respect to the franchise in Fort Simpson.

We are working on that very heavily. We are trying to ensure, in the case of the split of the Power Corporation, that we become the service provider for Nunavut. In the case of Fort Simpson, we are in ongoing discussions and contact with the community. We intend to take a leading role in the energy supplies systems here in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the question of the issue is broader than the supply of energy as the Minister refers to power. The Northwest Territories Power Corporation is the main asset of the Northwest Territories. It is a big one. It is the main provider of all of the services. There is a possible change in the regulation to expand the capabilities under the PUB of what is able to be provided.

Is the Minister going to take a broader look, other than just looking at the division issue and having to restructure because of the shrinking of the corporation, and look at what role the Power Corporation plays in the 21st century as we deal with the broad energy strategy issues facing us? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, the Honourable Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have not yet dealt with what the broader mandate will be of the Power Corporation or this government in terms of energy supply in the Territories. I have been dealing with some immediate firefighting in certain areas and that has maintained my attention.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was not aware there are forests in Israel. My question to the Minister is when will he be able to put his mind to this very significant issue that is underway now as we speak? The government has committed to an energy strategy. The NWTPC and this Minister should be playing a key role to make sure the right strategy is drafted. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, the Honourable Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be dealing with both the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and the Power Corporation and its future the moment we are through with the Session. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister commit to provide a more concrete update when we next gather to possibly review business plans and he appears before committee to talk about the issue of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, the Honourable Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I will. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question has to do with the statement that the Minister responsible for Transportation made earlier today with respect to the early closure of the ice bridge.

Mr. Speaker, I am very concerned about this record-breaking time in the ice bridge closure. It is two weeks ahead of the earliest time we have. It is going to have serious impacts on the residents of Yellowknife and surrounding areas, as well the businesses. There are schools going up and they have to get the supplies in. I was wondering if the Minister could inform this House, seeing that the statement probably was written earlier, I wonder if he could give us the absolute latest on when he expects the ice bridge to close. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Member for the question. The department does its best to advise the public as early as possible as to work conditions. The Member is quite correct. There is an update to the report. The department report now states that Fort Providence ice crossing will close to light traffic tomorrow at noon. That would be March 30, 2000 at noon. Light traffic means cars and vans. Heavier traffic may be closed as early as the weekend of April 1st. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. His statement indicates that the cause of this early closure is due to an act of God. It is the warm temperature. I wonder if the Minister could say it is 100 percent an act of God and not the overuse and heavy traffic volume on that ice bridge?

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The crossing is closed due to warm weather. There is a lot of slush and a lot of water there now, which would prevent light traffic from crossing. Heavy traffic can still cross. It is an act of God, or I suppose the weatherman, at the least, who is responsible for the deterioration of the ice crossing. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a very serious issue. I think we should remember that the ferry went out earlier than normal last time. In the last legs of my campaign, I had no less than five or six people asking me this question, so I feel I have to ask the Minister, is this not the time for a bridge? We cannot handle this short time for the ice road. Would the Minister consider building a bridge over the Mackenzie River?

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I suppose the Member now can expect questions as to when the ferry will open rather than when it will close. The department will try and have the ferry running as quickly as possible. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Steen. I am anticipating your final supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was wondering if the department has more power than God Him or Herself. But seriously, Mr. Speaker, we have Winspear, Diavik, and Lupin who are doing all they can to get their supplies over there. We have grocery stores that are not going to have enough supplies. We only have two or three days notice now. I know the Minister is going to have meetings with the federal Ministers about our conditions in building roads. I would like to know if the Minister will seriously consider the option of building a bridge over that water?

Thank you, Ms. Lee. You were talking about ice bridges initially. That is pushing the envelope a little, but...the Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think I have said in the past that the department would be happy to build a bridge as soon as somebody comes up with $60 million. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was also caught off guard with the situation with Aurora College in Inuvik. I have been pushing for several years to ensure that we get a new college in Inuvik through some new process or a P3 initiative. Realizing the economic potential we have in the Beaufort Delta with oil and gas and the activities and amount of revenues it will bring to this government, I think it is more important now than ever to ensure this facility gets built.

It is also important that we start preparing ourselves to have the people trained and in place so when the development happens, they are on the ground available to work and are taking advantage of this project.

Mr. Speaker, there has been a lot of money spent by this government in the diamond industry. I thought through this initiative, it would give us an opportunity to take advantage of the oil and gas industry and what it can offer. My question to the Minister responsible for Education is, when will the Minister consult with all the Members in this House, the Arctic College Board in Inuvik, and the Delta Divisional Board of Education to try and find a way to ensure this capital project continues on? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the concern there is regarding this project. The project initially was in the capital plan, and then it was switched to a P3 project. Because of the fiscal situation we are facing, it is now back as a capital plan for several years down the road. We recognize the facility is an old one, but because of the priorities we have faced, particularly with K-12 schools, it was essential that we proceed with those.

While I appreciate the Member has concerns with respect to when this project can be done, it would have to be done in consultation with what the capital planning is for this particular government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to note that the Minister mentioned how important this project was. It was listed on a short-list for capital projects through the P3 project. Yet through that list, this was one of, I believe, two facilities that were going to be built. One was the residence facility in Fort Smith and this was the other facility in Inuvik. With that, I would like to ask the Minister, where does this project stand in regard to the priorities of this government at this time?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It has been repositioned as a capital project several years down the road and it is back in the capital plan, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister when will this project get back on track to where it is a priority to Members of this House? And also, it was a priority to the previous government. Because it was a priority, I would like to ensure it is done within the next year. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The project has been delayed by several years and in order to change that, it would require Cabinet to consider looking at the capital plan. There were reasons why it was placed where it is because of the tightness of money. We had to eliminate $10 million from the budget. That is where it is. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When will this Minister ensure that this project gets off the ground?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said, it was put back into the capital plan and it is scheduled for 2003-2004.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Premier and it is in regard to summer student hiring. I had posed a couple of questions to Mr. Ootes and they were later referred to Mr. Kakfwi about summer student hiring and I was reassured that, indeed, an office would be set up by the Executive to handle incoming resumes, incoming calls and coordinate the employment of summer students. This may be the last time I get to ask the Premier about summer student hiring before we break and students will be arriving shortly. I am wondering if the Premier can tell me, how many summer jobs has the government identified for returning students this year? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. The honourable Premier, Mr. Stephen Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not clear on the number of positions that are potentially available. I do know that last year, students were matched with 261 positions. In fact, 261 students were placed with summer jobs, which is an increase of 242 in the previous year. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can appreciate the Minister might not have the information on how many jobs have been identified this year. I am hoping that he will provide that to this House. I am wondering if, in fact, this office which has been set up with phone numbers and contact people has been receiving resumes?

Thank you, Mr. Bell. The honourable Premier, Mr. Stephen Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I cannot confirm that, but I can confirm that no one has indicated any difference. Someone would have pressed an alarm button if, in fact, no applications or resumes had been received. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad there have been no alarms. We can assume, I guess, from the Premier's comments that students are submitting their resumes as usual. Everything is going along. Everything is fine. There will be jobs for these students. Maybe the Premier did not have the information on the number of jobs. Can he tell me how much money has been allocated for summer student hiring, though?

Thank you, Mr. Bell. The honourable Premier, Mr. Stephen Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am unable to provide that information either. I think in large part, we try to match every student that applies for work with the government with a job. As I have said, I have no idea how many will apply this year. I do know that last year, 261 students that applied for work with us were given summer jobs. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Final supplementary, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to get a commitment from the Premier that he will respond in writing and let this House know how many students have applied this year when that information is available and how many jobs have been provided for those applications. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. The honourable Premier, Mr. Stephen Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is something I will do for the Members. I will provide information on how many students have applied for work with the government for the summer employment program. We have also asked departments to identify a number of positions or jobs that are available for students within their departments. The information will also be shared with the Members. Thank you.

Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.