Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier, I was responding to recommendations from the committee established by the department previous to my time, to gather information and input to the strategy from the general public. This committee was established for this specific purpose, to come up with recommendations for the department. The department was responding to those recommendations and reported to the federal government on a number of things, including the road in the Beaufort. It would not be appropriate, I believe, for the department to come up and put out this type of information, which may cause expectations from people. It is more appropriate to try to get some firm commitments from the federal government and from the stakeholders to ensure that we have something firm to present to the general public and to the Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister Steen. The normal time for question period has ended. You still have two supplementaries, Mr. Lafferty, carry on with one.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe I indicated to the Member previously that in order to change the strategy, we need direction from the Assembly and from the government. What we need is input from the stakeholders, including the Member and interested stakeholders in his riding. Put forward proposals to us, and we will consider them. If everybody sees it as a priority then it will go into the strategy as a priority. It is as simple as that. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Steen. Your final supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, Mr. Steen, the final answer.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I indicated to the Member earlier that his comments and his suggestions did stir interest in the department, and as a result of that, I did take the trouble, with the department, to go and view these routes that he suggested with a helicopter. This is not something I like to do every day, but I did it, and it was because people in this Assembly have the opportunity to put forward their suggestions. We take them seriously -- seriously enough to invest money and follow on the suggestions of the Members. Once we have completed our studies as to whether this is a feasible thing, we will then put something forward to the Members or the committees to consider. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. The time for question period has ended. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to the opening address. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will table a letter that I have received from Sally Ross with regard to the undergraduate nursing program, and also information with regard to employment opportunities for undergraduate students from hospitals in Alberta.

Thank you. Item 13, tabling of documents. Item 14, notices of motion. Item 15, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 16, motions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Education Act...

Mr. Ootes, I think the topic is motions. Item 17, first reading of bills. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? Thank you. All those opposed? The motion is carried. Bill 5 has had first reading. Item 18, second reading of bills. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker,

I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Income Tax Act to increase the rate of deduction from an individual's net income set out in section 4.1 of the act. This increase has effect for the 2001 and subsequent taxation years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill. Question has been called. All those in favour? Thank you. All those opposed? Thank you. The motion is carried. Bill 2 has had second reading and accordingly, the bill stands referred to a committee. Item 18, second reading of bills. The honourable member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker,

I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act to clarify that only one Minister serves as a member of the Board of Management, and to provide for the appointment of alternate members to that body. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister Handley. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill. Question has been called. All those in favour, please signify. Thank you. All those opposed? The motion is carried. Bill 3 has had second reading. The Chair recognizes Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 69(2) and have Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, moved into committee of the whole for today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister Handley. The honourable Minister is seeking unanimous consent to waive Rule 69(2). Are there any nays? There are no nays. Accordingly, Bill 3 is now referred to committee of the whole.

Item 18, second reading of bills. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to proceed with second reading of Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Education Act. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Ootes. The honourable Member is seeking consent of the House to proceed with second reading of Bill 5. Are there any nays?