Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 31/00) - Education, Culture and Employment Minister Jake Ootes assured the assembly a program many students rely on for employment will be firing on all cylinders this summer.

Ootes made the commitment despite the fact that only $150,000 is being allocated toward the Working Together program in the interim budget. The program provides wage subsidies to businesses employing students and youth.

The budget covers the first four months of the year. In each of the last two years, the government has paid at least $1 million into the program.

Departmental staff said the $150,000 was based on projections taken from past years. Staff said it will be adequate because applications from businesses for funding, and invoices for payment, typically take some time to come in.

No danger

Premier Stephen Kakfwi assured Range Lake MLA Sandy Lee the transport of ore from Giant to Con mine presents no hazard.

"I understand the ore is not processed, it is simply being trucked," said Kakfwi. "Because it has not been processed, there is no dangerous form of arsenic present. It is in a stable form and does not pose a risk."

Kakfwi said he would have to find out for Lee if the government was monitoring whether there was any dangerous arsenic being transported.

Hail creativity

Great Slave MLA Bill Braden singled out two people Tuesday during a verbal tip of the hat to the city's vibrant arts scene.

Braden said he had attended Northern filmmaker Dennis Allen's production Some Place Better and a Sunday performance of Education of the Snowking, a play performed at the icy home of Snowking Anthony Foliot.

"I salute their efforts, and those of other Northern artisans, passionate and creative individuals all, and the colour and contribution they make to our lives and our lifestyles," Braden said.