Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Speaker, I was briefed on this about a year and a half ago or a year ago. I tried to keep track of it but, as all DECs, I don't keep track of each particular one. With eight jurisdictions in the Territories, I don't watch the growth of each one, Mr. Speaker, in terms of detail. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would request that the Minister get that information and if he could forward it on to me I would appreciate it. Mr. Speaker, it's not a new issue with the Minister that the Hay River DEA has been requesting that the Minister do something to correct the situation in the South Slave. Will the Minister reopen negotiations with the Hay River DEA on their situation within the South Slave Divisional Education Council? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this issue was brought to my attention two and a half years ago. I dealt with it on the basis of getting the group together to look at the issues, and after that we issued a report and the DEC initiated a five-part policy on governance board development initiatives. That seemed to be working out fairly well for a period of time. That may have further questions on it.

Mr. Speaker, I was a bit concerned about the Member stating that there had been a five percent reduction in the budget of Hay River. We continue to fund our DECs with extra money every year, and I don't understand what makes up that five percent reduction; whether it's a reduction because of numbers of students, or enrolment is going down, or for whatever reason. I would certainly like to know more about that.

Additionally, Mr. Speaker, on the issue of governance, I've dealt with this before and I've stated before, and I dealt with the two Members from Hay River as well as the DEA, in terms of pointing out that in order to set up a different governance system it does cost probably in the neighbourhood of half a million dollars to do that. Again, I would like to discuss that with them, but I haven't had feedback as to what the reception is on the part of Hay River with regard to addressing that issue of the extra half million dollars. Certainly as a government, I have to be very concerned about setting up another governance system and when it doesn't go into the hands of the students, Mr. Speaker. So, yes, I would like to talk to the DEA, but on a basis, as I said before, of where is this money going to come from. Also I need to assure you that I don't mind having discussions with the DEA, however, there has to be respect for the process as well. My responsibilities also lie with the DEC as a whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Oral questions, the honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, we have done a tremendous amount of work on this. It appears that there are implications that we do need to take into consideration to ensure that we do this appropriately, and I will be bringing forward a document to Cabinet for some discussion and consideration. I expect that to be within the next two to three weeks, certainly during this session. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we did set up an independent appeal board to take into consideration individuals who wish to appeal decisions made by staff in regard to income support questions. I'm familiar with one case, I believe of a decision with respect to the impact benefit agreements, and that's the only case I'm aware of, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm not familiar with the issue that the Member is speaking of. I'll certainly find out and be able to report back to him. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister of RWED and it's in regards to possible legislation for waste reduction and recovery. Mr. Speaker, I have no doubt that there's a lot of interest about this outside of the House and I believe there's a lot of support inside of the House, but there seems to be some misinformation about what we are doing or not doing with regards to this. I'm wondering if the Minister could publicly state as to where he is at, or this government is at, with this legislation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister of RWED, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to thank the Minister and the government for making that commitment. I am though not entirely worry free because I am aware, as well as everyone else here, that we have a major traffic jam going on in our legislative agenda and it does require lawyers to write these bills. I wonder if the Minister could commit to hire contract services if necessary to make sure there are enough lawyers to write the law so that we could debate it and pass it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.