Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, there were 13 applicants for education leave for which there was no funding available. This year, the funding was already committed to the five who are on education leave. By the way, out of the five, three were priority one, two were long time Northerners, priority two hires.

The Member is suggesting that we move money. Is he suggesting that we find money for all 13 applicants for education leave or do we just deal in isolation with this particular constituent of his? It is difficult to address this concern in isolation on an ad hoc basis because other people also applied and we have to consider the issue of access and fairness. We are going to look at whether additional resources need to be committed for education leave. I have committed to look at that. For this particular fiscal year, the money is committed and there will not be a re-occurrence of this lapsed funding. There are numerous explanations for why this funding under recruitment-retention did lapse, and part of it was the timing under which we got the money and the ability to recruit people to fill some of the positions. There were a number of reasons. We have to look at the big picture. We cannot just look at one particular application in isolation. Let me say again that we are very committed to the intent of allowing aboriginal northern nurses, northern social workers, people who work in the health care field, to enhance their credentials and training through the education leave program. Thank you.