Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity today to congratulate all of the boys and girls and men and women who will be representing the Northwest Territories at the Arctic Winter Games this March in Whitehorse. I think we can see that Team NWT has a lot of experience and is made up of communities across the North - 15 different communities are represented, Mr. Speaker, for a total of 339 delegates.

This includes athletes, officials, chaperones, and coaches. I think we have 24 different sporting events ranging from things like hockey and volleyball to Arctic sports and Dene games. I would like to congratulate all of the athletes who were successful, as I know this is a very important and valuable experience. I look back at the two Arctic Winter Games I was fortunate enough to participate in and I realize that these are some of my fondest memories growing up in the North. I made a lot of friends that I still know today.

I think you will also find your experience will help you learn valuable life lessons. Lessons like teamwork, how to win graciously, and, at times, how to lose with dignity and sportsmanship. I think these are very important lessons that will serve you well. Good luck, and everyone in the room here today hopes you will bring us back some new, shiny hardware. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The question relates to timeframes. I am wondering if we can look at a student advocate in the next budget? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So we can assume that the Minister is looking into it and will endeavour to see if we can set up a student advocate, if it is warranted, who would then provide independent advice on how to proceed with claims on behalf of students. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is also for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. The Minister is aware there was a Ministers' Forum on Student Financial Assistance that was previously tabled in the House. There were concerns raised by students about service delivery of student financial assistance.

Specifically, things like the late arrival of funding, inconsistent notification that funds had been deposited, more consistency in information and service provided, a need for customer service training for staff, improved accountability when errors were made by staff and the need to review staffing levels to ensure prompt service and no delays in processing applications and funding.

Out of this forum, there was a recommendation that a student advocate be considered to speak on behalf of students to bring their concerns forward to the department. Can the Minister tell me if he feels that this recommendation is a worthwhile one? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just one more thing; is that for Yellowknife or is that for the entire Territories, based in Yellowknife? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a little more clarification is required. You mentioned that the Executive is going to take the lead on hiring summer students. I am wondering if that means they will set up an office for students to report to when they return home to check in and see where the employment opportunities might be. Even if that office is not handling the hiring directly, will that office be coordinating job opportunities with the other departments then?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to follow up on my line of questioning from yesterday in my question to the Minister for Education, Culture and Employment. Yesterday I was asking questions about summer hiring for returning university students and I was reassured to hear the Minister say that he planned to see if he could coordinate the efforts with other government departments to identify opportunities for students and youths for the coming summer.

I would like some clarification. I am wondering if the Minister can tell me which government departments he was coordinating with or planning to coordinate with. Thank you.

WHEREAS there is a requirement for the naming of two Members to hold the positions of Deputy Chairpersons for the committee of the whole;

AND WHEREAS it is desirable to appoint two Members;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho that the honourable Member for Hay River North and the honourable Member for North Slave be appointed as Deputy Chairpersons for committee of the whole.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today.