Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that the Member has been asking me questions about the municipal finance review. The review has been going on for some time and the finance review committee will be presenting their recommendation to the annual meeting that will be happening in Cambridge Bay in March, 1999. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I did not hear the last part of the question. Can the Member please repeat his question?

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The hamlets will be informed in regard to the $30,000/$40,000 that is going to be allocated to the regions. The communities will be informed of that money for the future use of this program. This will be discussed with the communities so that the future will be more secure for the hamlet councils. Thank you. (Translation ends)

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This $600,000 is onetime funding. The hamlets will be informed as to what the money is supposed to be used for. After the hamlets are informed, I will be giving more information to the Member of Natilikmiot. I do not have the document in front of me at this time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be speaking Inuktitut, with respect to the question from the Member of Natilikmiot. I would like to thank him for his question. With respect to the $600,000 from the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, I understand it will be useful and used for a good purpose. Part of the funding will be used for training purposes and Municipal and Community Affairs is not the only department that is going to have a responsibility for it. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment is also involved in this initiative and regional communities will be given $30,000 to $40,000 from the $600,000 amount we are talking about. This will be used for training purposes with respect to Internet and computer communication. Perhaps $600,000 is not enough for full initiative on training. That is all I have to say for now, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. (Translation ends)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to inform this House of an exciting project that will help to bring the north into the 21st century. Wire North will help communities connect to the Internet.

Every day, we see signs of the new technology that is changing our world. E-mail messages are replacing letters and phone calls to family and friends. Banking is done from the convenience of our homes through telephones and computers. Medical services are provided through video conferencing and other technology over the Internet.

Mr. Speaker, these are just a few of many opportunities that modern technology gives us. So far, this technology has only been affordable in our larger communities. As the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, I believe it is vital that all northern communities have access to these same opportunities. The Wire North Initiative is a partnership between the Departments of Municipal and Community Affairs; Education, Culture and Employment; Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development; the Financial Management Board Secretariat; Industry Canada, the NWT Association of Municipalities, the NWT Association of Municipal Administrators, and not-for-profit and private sector representatives. Through partnerships, Wire North will provide communities with coordinated access to programs and support so they can use the Internet.

Mr. Speaker, MACA will invest up to $600,000 in Wire North Initiatives. This will provide community access to the Internet in every northern community. Wire North will help communities train in using the new technology and demonstrate other potential uses such as training and banking on-line. These initiatives will provide communities with Internet access to information, resources, programs and services; and, assist in community development.

Mr. Speaker, the Wire North Initiative is an exciting opportunity for communities. It is a chance for them to use technology to improve their quality of life. Mr. Speaker, officials in MACA are working closely with the future Government of Nunavut to make sure that wire north becomes a wire Nunavut initiative. This is a good example of on-going partnerships between our two new territories. I would like to thank my honourable colleagues, Mr. Todd, Mr. Dent and Mr. Kakfwi for their collaboration in the Wire North Initiative. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize in the gallery, Geela Qaqqaaiq, my previous secretary, and her Mom who is visiting her here.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I did have the opportunity to go up, but it did not happen. We just saw a herd of caribou and turned back because of the fog. My calendar is pretty full right now, but I will have my officials contact the community and see what the concerns are and deal with those problems. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Prior to December 11th, and hopefully during this session, I will be able get together with the Member for Natilikmiot and with the Minister of Education regarding this concern. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)