Thank you, Mr. Bell. Mr. Ootes.

I'll ask Mr. Devitt to answer that, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Mr. Devitt.

Thank you, Mr. Devitt. Mr. Bell.

I'm also interested in the comment that the college is concerned that if this were to be longer-term housing, that a number of students would be lost to other colleges. I'm wondering if the Minister can indicate why we think that's the case.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm informed that the college is concerned about the possibility of students being in accommodation that's not suitable, doubling up and so forth. It may happen in a couple of weeks when we start these particular courses. People may have to be doubled up in the Breynat Hall. It's not an ideal situation for many adults. For that reason, there may be a choice made from time to time by individuals if this is persistently happening, that word spreads and an individual may choose to go to NAIT or SAIT or other colleges. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Mr. Bell.

Thank you. It seems a strange comment to me. I think anybody who has attended college outside of the Northwest Territories, is well aware that you can't always demand a single accommodation at most schools. It's commonplace to see most rooms in the dormitory are doubled up situations, aside from apartments. So it sounds like an unreasonable request by students, if they're demanding single occupancy and insisting that they're going to go to NAIT, SAIT or Grande Prairie College if they don't get the room that they want. It seems a little crazy, and I hope the college isn't tolerating that kind of thing. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think it's also conditions of the buildings and so forth that may play a role. This is information provided by the college, so we would have to seek further clarification from them if the Member wishes. We can certainly find out more information for him.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. The Chair will recognize Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the Member's concerns and comments. The indications we have are that there's a substantial pressure on accommodations in Fort Smith, and if we lose one of the units then we will have difficulty accommodating students at Fort Smith. The reports were done by Public Works and Services. Their recommendations came forward with what the replacement costs would be, versus new construction. Because of the difference in cost, the recommendation was that we do go for renovations in those particular units and replacement of 15 housing units.

Mr. Chair, the accommodation issue is a critical one in Fort Smith if the fire marshal does shut down one or two of the units. We do have indication from the fire marshal's office that is a concern and they want us to do something about it. Therefore, we proceeded with the program that we put before Members, and we feel that's only appropriate to address it in that fashion. The concern by the fire marshal is very serious. The accommodation availability can be difficult for Fort Smith if we do not adhere to addressing these issues. I think it is important, Mr. Chair, to point that out. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Ootes.

Mr. Chair, I'm just going to ask Mr. Devitt to address one of the technical items.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Mr. Devitt.

Thank you, Mr. Devitt. The Chair will recognize Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to address this for the last time in the general comments section. This is following up on what I was talking about before. This is an issue that I've been dealing with the Minister on for a long time; the issue of having a post-secondary education student financial assistance for students with disabilities that is legislated.

Mr. Chairman, the $100,000 grant given to the Council for Disabled Persons for this purpose is not entirely correct. That money is used for various things, one of them being for helping students with disabilities. But the weakness with that method, Mr. Chairman, is the fact that it's highly temporary. It's a grant given to a non-government organization, and it could come and go at any time. It is not there for students with disabilities who have to go to all different places to try to get money to further their studies, whether it be for further education, or to get a job, or to learn life skills. I think we have to do better to look after those who we put through our school system under an inclusionary policy, and then we just drop them when they get out of high school. I really think that we can do better, Mr. Chairman.

I do believe strongly that this is really about equal treatment and equal protection under the law, and we're not providing that for the students with disabilities. We tell them you get out of high school, we'll put you through, but you're not protected under the law. You're on your own. You've finished Grade 12 and try to get a job or whatever, but you could get a grant here and a grant there, but that's just going to be a handout. I really believe that he had the opportunity to do the right thing when the Student Financial Assistance Appeal Board made a decision saying that this program should be included. I went and talked to him and I pleaded with him to do the right thing, and the letter that I received from him is highly questionable.

I don't want to malign anybody. I know that everybody in the department is working really hard. But in this case, I really believe that they failed to think outside of the box. In fact, the response from the Minister questions the decision of the appeal board. It's sort of not questioning, but sort of saying put a different spin on why they did what they did, when in fact the board decision is very clear. Based on the evidence, they have deemed this institution a post-secondary education, and that those students with disabilities should be able to get student financial assistance. Mr. Chairman, the Minister also has the aid of regulation. It's written very clearly in section 12 that we have the obligation to provide affirmative action programs for the remuneration of the conditions of those persons through post-secondary school education. The Student Financial Assistance Appeal Board read this to include various institutions to be a post-secondary education program.

I really think it's not fair, it's not right for us to say that those with disabilities line up in one line and that line could end any time because it's a temporary, non-government organizational program that could be given at any time or stopped at any time. It could be moved around at any time. Those students without disabilities take it for granted that they get out of high school, and if they lived here, they apply for student loan, they get it and go to school.

Another thing with maximizing northern employment, we did a great thing by creating a policy that says we are going to help you with your transition out of school, so you can get a job, start on a career, we want you in our government, we want you to participate in our economy, but those students with disabilities who need to go to school to get life skill training...In the example of the constituent I have been working with, he's in a program that's going to get him a job. He's in a program that's going to make him a full member of our economy and be a participant. At every turn, he's been reminded over and over again that he has a disability and he is not going to be entitled to the same treatment under the law, you are not equal under the law. You have to line up in a different line. This is not something he was told all through the school system. When he went through inclusive schooling, he went through school, he got help and he got there. I guess I could have written another letter to the Minister, but I just figured I was going to get another letter saying the same thing. I would plead with the Minister that he reviews this file, that he reads the letter that he sent to me dated December 17th again and recognize that that is not the right thing. We have a department dismissing a decision of the board and trying to change the decision to maintain the status quo. I really would urge the Minister to revisit that.

At the same time, I would like to get a commitment from the Minister to look at what might be the financial implications of setting up a clear policy, legislation or regulation within the department and not giving to an NGO or grant program, but creating something that is legislated so that it's permanent and something that is entrenched that would provide student financial assistance for students with disabilities. I don't mean students who need wheelchairs or hearing aids, but students with learning disabilities who may have to take alternative educational programs to make them a fully participating member of our economy and who need to go to a school like Fairview College in Alberta or some other programs. Knowing what we know of student populations and the information the department can gather about how many students are out there within our school systems or in various programs, what would be the cost implications and policy implications of entrenching this and following up on the board's decision? Thank you.