Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Do the individuals have to apply for that? Is that a regional program or is that based out of Yellowknife?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Ootes.

All are regional programs, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you. After the election, I met with the students in Fort McPherson who are attending the upgrading program and the ABE program, and they had problems accessing the information. That is why I am asking the question. I would like to ask the Minister if it is possible that the department develop a pamphlet identifying all these sources of funding, categorized to the different programs, ABE, upgrading, post-secondary education, or even scholarships so they have an idea of where to go to access this funding. I think a lot of these students get frustrated having to call all these different places because they do not really have an idea of who to hone in on, instead of phoning Yellowknife or the Department of Education, or their MLAs. People should have access to that information, know that it is accessible, that they do have the right to apply and that they are able to use that as part of their education.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We do not have one and it is a good suggestion that we make one available, and make sure it is available in the communities and all centres. We do not have one that covers all areas, but we do have specific ones, like Student Financial Assistance, for example. Just to address the Member's issue and concern, yes, we will do one for the ABE.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. One of the other areas that the department should consider looking at is mature students that find themselves going to university. A lot of them need assistance. They hire tutors, and there is funding available for them to do that. I am wondering, with the problem that we see, especially in our small communities with the high number of people who are illiterate, and who are trying to make an attempt to get into these different programs, such as ABE and adult education. Would the government develop a program for communities or interested groups to have funds available to hire local tutors in the communities to assist people with bringing up their grades so that they are able to have a prep course? That is where people seem to get bottlenecked. For them, just to get into the courses is a problem. Once they get in there, I think they will put the effort into doing the work.

I think a lot of them are not getting past that first stage. It would be nice if there were individuals identified in the communities as tutors to help these people who are on income support, so they can get the basics of the math, reading, and writing. So that they know this is the basis for them to get into these courses. I think that the investment that this government is going to make will be beneficial in the long run.

I would like to suggest to the Minister if he can possibly consider looking at it as an initiative for those communities with high illiteracy rates, and that we are able to assist students and people who are on income support to take on that challenge. We should make sure that they are able to get on with life and also take advantage of these programs that are in our communities so that they can make life better for themselves and their families. Would the Minister consider looking at that?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We try to build in life skills as part of the program. I think that addresses a part of the concern that Mr. Krutko is speaking of. We also cooperate with the aboriginal human resource development organizations that are out there. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. General comments. What is the wish of the committee? We are on page 9-9, directorate, administration, total operation expense, $4,154,000. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I noticed that on the activity description there is some discussion of the Digital Communications Network. I know that there is some concern among members of the committee just how adequately this network fulfills the expectations of the government and the departments when it was brought in. We have talked a long time about the importance of distance education and being able to use the facilities of a Digital Communications Network in bringing down our long term costs. Yet I am given to understand that there may be a problem with the bandwidth available to the department to ensure that there is a really good facility here that we can use for distance education, and for things like tele-conferencing. Could I find out from the Minister just what the situation is with the Digital Communications Network, and what they mean by "they will continue upgrading and improving the delivery and management of Education, Culture and Employment programs using that network"? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will make some remarks and then I will also ask Mr. Cleveland to deal with the detail of what exactly what is happening with the DCN. As the Member well knows, we held a pilot project out of Norman Wells to deliver distance education. It was a northern studies program, which was very well received. From that, we were in touch with the Calgary school board and signed a memorandum of understanding. It gives us access to 34 more programs that will be available in communities. We are working to ensure that our educators will be able to get up to speed to receive those particular programs and to supervise those students who may wish to take it.

It presents the challenge of do we have the bandwidth capacity on the network? For that, perhaps I can turn it over to Mr. Cleveland to address that particular part of the question.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Mr. Cleveland.

Thank you, Mr. Cleveland. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I had heard rumours that speed was a problem, as was bandwidth. What about the price? Is the price that is costing the department coming in as expected when we were looking at this project?

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, Mr. Chair, it is coming in at the price that we expected it. It is $1.4 million for next year.