Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the issue of the surplus becomes a government-wide issue and there are demands by this government for a number of projects. It would have to fall in line with decisions that would work out in terms of capital planning. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this chance to applaud the Minister of Health for hosting what seems like it is going to be a very valuable FAS symposium. He is bringing in professionals from the south to help train health care professionals, front-line workers and also physicians.

I would like to ask the Minister, how many primary school teachers and school counsellors will be attending? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can I ask the Member to repeat the question please?

The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, the honourable Minister requests you repeat the question. Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will allow the Minister a little more time to work with this, but I am wondering how many primary school teachers and school counsellors have been invited to this excellent symposium. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have not seen the final participant list, but when I do I will be very happy to share that with the Member and the chair of the Social Programs Committee and keep him apprised as to who is going to be attending. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Bell.

I would appreciate that because it seems like he has gone through a lot of effort to bring in some really qualified folks and health care professionals would be benefiting, but it would be a shame if the people who are often on the front line and often first see signs of FAS, that being teachers, school counsellors, were not involved. If the Minister will commit that teachers and school counsellors will be involved in this initiative, that would be great. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, very clearly we want to involve front-line workers, and as I indicated I will provide the list to the Member as soon as I can get it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Graduation requirements are 100 credits, Mr. Speaker, and there are some base courses that have to be taken. There can be some other courses on a selective basis taken, so a total of 100 credits are required. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A student is required to complete 100 credits of course work. It is required that 15 credits be in English, ten additional credits in English grade 12 level courses, social studies, mathematics, science, fine arts, physical education, northern studies, career and technology studies.

Mr. Speaker, I want to point out that our curriculum is consistent with what is offered across western Canada in all provinces. It is developed across all jurisdictions, so the examinations that our students take are exactly the same examinations that those students take in Alberta. I believe that when a student graduates from here, if they do get the required marks then they are qualified to graduate, Mr. Speaker, and on a level with other jurisdictions. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Nitah.