Mr. Speaker, we were just made aware that the Yukon government signed an MOU on the immigration nomination system program. As of last week, as soon as we heard the news, our department’s been working closely with their government department on the MOU. So we are making progress in this area.

Our department staff has been continuously working with their staff. There have been various calls coming to our department, so we’re fully aware of what the Members are highlighting here today. We’re doing what we can, as the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, working with the Yukon...

The report is complete on the building itself.

Mr. Speaker, there was a petition, as the Member indicated in his Member’s statement, to myself from the students of Inuvik concerned about the closing down of the facility. Currently the status is that the facility is scheduled to close in August 2008. It was under the advisement of the Department of Public Works and Services due to safety concerns. Public Works and Services also manages the risk management and safety programs that assess the condition and safety of all GNWT assets and buildings. Due to that fact we’re in a situation at this point, but we are looking at other options as well.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment has recently increased our income security program to meet the needs of the community — the demands of the high cost of living in the community: the clothing, the food, the shelter. So we did increase in that area. That is one area that has been highlighted from our previous visit to the communities. So that has been initiated.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to announce that the first class of Aurora College graduates to have completed their Bachelor of Education degree in the Northwest Territories held their convocation in Fort Smith on April 27, 2008. The class included 15 graduates. Thirteen are from the Northwest Territories communities of Deline, Fort Good Hope, Fort Simpson, Fort Smith and Yellowknife. Two graduates are from outside of the NWT, from Fort Chipewyan in Alberta and Richibucto Village, New Brunswick. I congratulate all of the graduates and welcome them into the workforce. I learned that many of...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Sahtu, that Bill 4, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2008, be read for the third time.

Mr. Speaker, our department will continue to consult with those individuals that are meeting these challenges. One of them will be the Chamber of Commerce and other organizations that are interested. Our department is willing to share that, upon our sharing that with the committee. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, we did meet with several businesses here in Yellowknife that are dealing with these challenges at hand. Due to that fact, we did have somebody in the department committed to working on this particular piece of work. They are following through with this. Due to the request of the Member for timelines, we have to do what we can with the current system. We’re working with the federal government on the portal, as well. We do have agreements with them, and just continue the process of discussing with them, and at the same time, long-term arrangements on the actual MOU — Yukon’s MOU —...

Mr. Speaker, it does involve various parties to find the needs of the community, where they should be placed and so forth. We as the GNWT, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, continue to work closely with Public Works and Services on finding solutions to the situation we’re in. We’re also identifying another location — an Environment and Natural Resources office potentially. We are looking at all options, because the time is near. August is coming. We’re doing what we can as the Department of Education to find a suitable location for these students, because we want these...

The safety aspect of it was administered by Public Works and Services. There is a report being done on this particular facility, the building. It is a 1960s building. There are problems with the foundation, the structure itself. Public Works and Services would have the report, and I’m sure the Minister of Public Works and Services is willing to share it with the Member upon request.