Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Written Question asked by Mr. Nitah on June 13, 2001, regarding Maximizing Northern Employment.

The Maximizing Northern Employment (MNE) initiative encompasses a wide variety of programs and services delivered by several departments. The MNE programs can be augmented by programs of other departments or organizations in order to ensure maximum community benefit.

In the Fort Smith region, the Departments of Education, Culture and Employment, Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development and Aurora College are planning a coordinated initiative respecting MNE. We will provide communities with information on both MNE and existing programs so that maximum use of available resources can be brought to bear on behalf of each interested community. Through the interdepartmental approach, our staff will be available to assist communities in scoping out project ideas.

Predetermined allocations of funding by community have not been made in the Fort Smith region in order that, through community initiative, the best use of available resources can be made across the region. Notwithstanding that, every community is expected to benefit directly from the programs available.

I am confident that this community development approach, whereby initiatives will come from the communities, is a positive way to maximize the value of Maximizing Northern Employment programs.