Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following up on my earlier question on the access program for nursing, Mr. Speaker, the Nursing Access Program. We already had the first year of that access program as we have ascertained. We have people who completed the first year. I wonder, could the Minister elaborate on who or what department does the Department of Education consult with on the offering to fund the Nursing Access Program again for the first year, beginning in January? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess, that was the point, that we already had a one-year program that was cancelled; so I wonder why the Department of Education did not look at funding the second year of this program when you have already have students who are trained. Why repeat a program when you had students start a program they were told we could not fund, so now they are sitting around? This program starts in January and they have already done it. What do you do with people that have been trained for it now, a year or two years sitting around? Why was there no consideration given to the department to fund the program for two years and the second year of the program, not at the entry level year? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What type of consideration was given to the participants on the earlier program, will they be prioritized for this program, will they have to repeat that program, what type of work was done for them? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the program that was earlier cut was a considerable cause of a concern with the students, of course, in the program. I am wondering what type of consultation has been done with Nunavut Arctic college with this announcement? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Following up on my earlier member's statement about the nursing access year to be offered in Nunavut as announced on Monday by Mr. Dent, will that program be a repeat of the earlier program that was cancelled because of NUHRDS cuts earlier? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on Monday Minister Dent announced an extra $2 million in training funds for health and social services workers in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Mr. Speaker, that was indeed a good announcement. With the training dollars announced the Minister indicated that the nursing access year would be operated in Nunavut and the NWT this January. This follows the suspension of the same program earlier when available NUHRDS funding was not in place and the participants had to quit the program after the first year. Mr. Speaker, with the many concerns heard and raised in this House about the nursing shortages and retention of same, indeed this extra $2 million will help us with the problems over our medical professionals with the ground work to train staff locally and retain such staff.

Mr. Speaker, later today I will ask the appropriate Minister, Mr. Dent, for some more information on Monday's announcement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, is it possible to readdress any available slippage funds under EDAP or other monies to help out this situation?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, referring back to my earlier Member's statement on the housing situation in Iqaluit, I know that the Minister for Housing is aware of the severe housing and private housing shortage in Iqaluit. Can the Minister inform the House if his department has looked at this issue? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Iqaluit is experiencing very strong pressure with regard to the availability of housing. Social housing, as well as private family homes that are available for sale, are in short supply. The private marketplace is building new housing, but already much of this is spoken for. The local housing authority is also under pressure to supply homes that are not available. Mr. Speaker, proactive work and support of Mr. Arlooktoo, the Minister of Housing, has helped us replace our homeless shelter. The need for more housing will continue to grow as the community expands. Mr. Speaker, would extra funding for EDAP programs or other housing programs be available to help our situation? I have met several times now with our local housing association and our local Housing Corporation manager and believe that the new Nunavut government will have to address this serious concern very quickly in its mandate. Later today, I will have an opportunity to ask Mr. Arlooktoo some questions on the availability of EDAP programs for Iqaluit.