Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Aurora Research Institute is the research division of Aurora College. They have staff across the territory, and they have a very robust presence in Inuvik. The Inuvik campus includes the Western Arctic Research Centre, which houses multiple teams working on things like remote sensing, climate change, northern energy needs. As the college transforms into a polytechnic, that research element will require a larger and larger role. One of the big differences between universities and colleges is that research element. I think that we might be entering the golden age for research in the Western Arctic. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

That's the plan. Increasing the supports for research is part of what we're doing as we transform to a polytechnic university. In October, we released the initial areas of specialization, and as the Member stated that included earth, resources, and environment management as one of the areas. Climate change fits in that perfectly. I was pleased to hear that the college is in the process of hiring a research chair in climate change which will be located in Inuvik. I am also happy to report that Education, Culture and Employment is hiring a climate change archeologist to be centred in Inuvik. Those are some of the things that we are doing, so we are making steps. It's not something that I can say, "We're going to do this in the future." We're doing this now.

Will the Minister answer: how will the polytechnic work with the private sector to deliver programs in the Western Arctic that lead to employment or business opportunities in the regions?

Engaging with the private sector is critical to a polytechnic university. Polytechnics are based on hands-on learning, and we need the private sector to assist with that. I know there's always a strong desire for apprentice programs in the Beaufort-Delta, and in order to do that, we need partners to work with. There are constant discussions with current staff and both the Gwich'in and the IRC about their needs and how we can partner together. Yes, there has been a very close connection with private enterprise. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.