Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Two questions there; you can answer one, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I think the main methods to the Prime Minister and to the federal government that we have taken forward is that we want to be consulted on programs that the federal government has that impact on our territory or on our population. So that message has been consistent.

Mr. Speaker, I'm not, at this point -- without consultation, without knowing more about the missile defence systems and so on -- prepared to take a position and relay that to the Prime Minister. I will, though, and I have been saying to him that we want to be at the table to discuss the northern strategy which he has referred to, which in my mind includes missile defence among many other policies and programs that affect us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Mr. Premier, for what you were saying there. Mr. Speaker, if the Premier could further elaborate just for my clarity that he will endeavour to take forward a position to get out there and research what is happening and bring forward a comprehensive briefing note to all Members about the consultation process, about us getting involved on this and possibly, maybe even someday passing a motion in this House for either our support or non-support in this regard. Would the Premier make that commitment to this House? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, as this particular issue on missile defence becomes clearer in terms of what is being proposed and how it may impact us, then certainly we would be ready and willing to brief this House. In the meantime, I want to focus on ensuring that we are at the table when the federal government moves forward on the proposed northern strategy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Final supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I've sometimes been known as one to bite the hand that feeds me. In this regard I think it's important that our Premier takes a strong position, at least echoes our concerns with our federal government and says will they provide us a clear position of Canada's position on that regard. Will he commit to bringing that position paper to the Assembly for discussion? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, yes, I've already made that request to the Prime Minister in earlier discussions. I am meeting with him on Sunday, and that will be reinforced. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am afraid I don't have the background on why the decision was made to require...It's not a full year on the program, as I understand it. A recipient must have been receiving income support for six of the previous 12 months in order to qualify for the benefit. I suspect that it is because the amount they have divided up on a monthly basis would not be enough to purchase anything in the way of clothing. So in order to make it a reasonable amount, rather than giving out $20 a month or $40 a month, it's seen as an offering in the program that allows a reasonable amount of money, like $250 for those who have been on the program for a while. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Those are all very good reasons and programs like this need some kind of criteria. It all makes sense from an administrative point of view, but we do have a seasonal situation to deal with. People come and may not be coordinating with our administrating purposes. Can the Minister go back and have a look at that regulation, see if it can be retuned to allow for some consideration for the timing when this is needed? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can certainly have a look at the regulation. I think we have to remember that most people who come into income support are cycling through. Therefore, they have what they bring into the system already. This amount is probably set up to recognize that those people who have been on income support for a long period of time,

have not had the resources to purchase the clothing on their own. Whereas somebody who has just come into the system in the last month will have been well off enough to have purchased clothing previously. Can I look at it? Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier today, the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment made an announcement with regard to the Youth Abroad Program. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister for some clarification. When he says "young people," can he give me the definition of young people? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This program targets young people who would be or should be in high school.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that's a lot of people who used to be in high school. Can I ask for the age of the young people? I have a high percentage of young people in my region. For example, close to 30 percent of the youth are in Tulita, same as Fort Good Hope. I would like to get more clarification in terms of the ages of the youth. Thank you.