Charles Dent

Mr. Chairman, I haven’t set that up. I have been approached by three boards in Yellowknife who have an interest in a new school. We have quite a challenge ahead of us working with all of our partners here to determine how this money can be used to serve all of our needs.

Thank you, Madam Chair. As I said in my opening comments, the rates are adjusted every year. Subsequent to the Bureau of Statistics doing studies to find out what the rates should be adjusted to in each community, the rates were adjusted in November of last year. So we would be looking at doing it again as we get into winter this year.

Mr. Chairman, it hasn't been raised as an issue with us. We do talk to the federal government on a fairly regular basis. The college hasn't alerted us that there is a bigger demand than what can be satisfied through what's being delivered. So to the best of our knowledge right now, the demand must be being met.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is a benefit that is negotiated through the collective agreement, so there was an increase from 2.25 percent to three percent of salaries.

Thank you, Madam Chair. On my right I have the deputy minister for the department, Mr. Mark Cleveland, and on my left Mr. Devitt, who is director of management services.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Under other expenses under the directorate, miscellaneous travel, materials, supplies, purchased contract services, and public relations. Actually, sorry, purchased contract supplies are $99,000; public relations, $36,000; under policy and planning the EFAP, family assistance program, education leave, miscellaneous travel, materials, supplies and purchased contract services there is $84,000. Mr. Chairman, I will start that again.

Under policy and planning, under EFAP and education leave there is $84,000; under miscellaneous travel, materials, supplies and purchased...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We brought in a new Education Act in 1996.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There is $27,000 in the budget, as the Member has noted, and it’s based on application. So it isn’t a lot of money. Part of the problem is the cash situation the government finds itself, but that’s available to museums in the North to apply for. It will be assessed as we get the applications as to how we can spend that money.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, to graduate, it means that you typically had to achieve certain marks in the departmental exams, and we use the same exams as Alberta. So if we have people who are graduated they should be at the same level no matter what community they are at. I know that there are concerns about how many programs can be offered in all communities, and the small schools have a real problem with delivering the same level of programming as a larger school does. So not everybody has access equally across the Territories to the same level of program. In general, the...

Mr. Chairman, the vast majority of that money is remissions, so there will be some money for student loans where the person passes away or goes bankrupt while still owing some money on their loan. In those situations there are write-offs, but most of the money we're talking about here is remission.