Okay. Turn to page 1, Bill 4, Public Library Act, clause 1.

---Clauses 1 through 11 inclusive approved

To the bill as a whole.

Does committee agree that Bill 4, Public Library Act, is ready for third reading?

---Bill 4 as a whole is approved for third reading.

With that, I’d like to thank the Minister and witnesses. Sergeant-at-Arms, escort the witnesses out.

As we agreed, we will now turn to Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act. At this time I would like to ask the Minister responsible for Bill 7, Mr. Lafferty, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, to introduce the bill. Mr. Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to introduce Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act. The purpose of this legislation is to raise the maximum aggregate of the principal amounts of all student loans that may be made by the Government of the Northwest Territories.

The maximum aggregate principal amount of student loans that the Government of the Northwest Territories may lend under the Student Financial Assistance Act is $33 million. The amendment proposes to increase this amount to $36 million for the fiscal year 2009-2010 and thereafter. This change is required to allow the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to continue

providing student financial assistance at current benefits levels.

We trust that the members of the standing committee will agree that this amendment is appropriate and necessary. We would be pleased to answer any questions the Members may have.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. I would like to ask the chair of the Standing Committee on Social Programs, which reviewed the bill, to make comments. Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Social Programs conducted its public review of Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, on January 15th ,

2009. The committee would like to thank the Minister and his staff for presenting the bill.

The bill raises the total amount that the GNWT can lend through its student loans program to $36,000 starting in 2009-2010. In addition, a minor amendment is made in the French version for the term “ordinary place of residence.” Following the committee’s review, a motion was carried to report Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, to the Assembly as ready for Committee of the Whole.

This concludes the committee’s opening comments on Bill 7. Individual Members may have additional questions or comments as we proceed.

Mr. Beaulieu, could I have clarification. That was $36 million.

Sorry, Mr. Chairman. Yes. The program is $36 million. Sorry.

Thank you. For the record. At this time I would like to ask the Minister introducing the bill if he would like to bring in any witnesses. Mr. Lafferty.

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Is the committee agreed to let the Minister bring in witnesses?

Sergeant-at-Arms, escort the witnesses in.

For the record, Mr. Lafferty, could you introduce your witnesses?

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. I have to my left Dan Daniels, deputy minister for Education, Culture and Employment; Mr. Blair Barbour, legislative policy advisor; and Ian Rennie, legislative counsel.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Welcome, witnesses. General comments regarding Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act. Clause by clause. Is committee agreed?

Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, clause 1.

---Clauses 1 through 3 inclusive approved

To the bill as a whole.

Does committee agree that Bill 7 is now ready for third reading?

---Bill 7 approved for third reading

With that, I’d like to thank the Minister and his witnesses. Sergeant-at-Arms, could you escort the witnesses out.

What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that we report progress.

---Carried

I will now rise and report progress.

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 4, Public Library Act, and Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, and would like to report progress, and that Bill 4 and Bill 7 are ready for third reading. I move that the report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with.