Mr. Speaker, I am not aware of any studies at all on that subject. I have not seen any, nor have any been brought to my attention. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Todd.

Since this board and its officials seem to be fond of representing their own decisions as the law of the land, will the Minister confirm for this House that the Workers' Compensation Act does not specifically prohibit lump sum payments of disability pensions?

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, as I understand it, there are some limitations in the Workers' Compensation Act with respect to lump sum payments. The Member, as I understand it, is generally correct that there is no legislation, in general terms, for prohibition of lump sum payments being made, although the circumstances under which they can be made is circumscribed by the act in certain situations. Generally, his assertion is correct. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Justice. (Translation) As you heard the Member for Amittuq speaking about Neevee Allianak who committed suicide -- I have found that the people in my constituency who are waiting to go through the court process have a very difficult time in that it causes them to commit suicide because they are dreading the moment they have to go through the court system. (Translation ends)

They wait three or four months, and it becomes psychologically and emotionally difficult for young people to deal with this. In a lot of cases they commit suicide or attempt to commit suicide. Will the Minister look into a community-based judicial system in the aboriginal communities in order to prevent undue delay for people accused of small crimes?

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to assure the honourable Member that I am fully in favour of, where possible, and where a community is willing to undertake these difficult responsibilities, our government giving as much support as possible to provide alternatives to the conventional justice system as well as alternatives to circuit courts. I will look forward to working with the honourable Member, since I know there are some people very interested in taking on some responsibilities in at least one community he represents, and other honourable Members, in coming up with creative alternatives to allow a more community-based approach and an alternative to sometime frustrations of the existing system. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Minister of Education, Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like the Member, I am very anxious to see the resolution of this problem in Inuvik. I have instructed my officials to seek solutions to this problem and ask them to work with the divisional boards. I am told that a meeting of the divisional board will take place on Wednesday and this topic will be discussed. In the Education Act it says that the school year shall be in session 190 days and the academic year has to be approved by the Minister, in consultation with the local education authorities. As a result, any changes to the academic year would have to be requested by the local education authority and approved by the Minister. So far, I have not received any requests from the divisional board or local education authority. I would expect that if the divisional board approves or supports the teachers, soon after they meet on Wednesday I will be getting a request. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The issue is one of definitions of administration in-service days or professional development days and who has authority to approve these. Has the Department of Education, over the years, consistently held the present position that all in-service days require a change to the school year and must be authorized by the Minister? Has there been a change in the policy, and does approval of in-service days require a change to the school year?

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not know the answer. I have to take the question as notice.

The question is taken as notice. Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Health. The residents of my constituency have become increasingly concerned about the potential impact of contaminants entering the Athabasca, Peace and Slave Rivers as a result of paper and pulp mill development in northern Alberta. There is relatively little that scientists can tell us at the present time about the cumulative effects of pulp mill contaminants on human health. Since the Minister of Renewable Resources has indicated to this House last week that low levels of dioxin, furan and toxic fumes were found in fish samples in lakes near the Slave River system, will the Minister of Health please indicate what priority has been placed by his department on researching the health effects of environmental contaminants entering northern river systems from outside our boundaries?

Minister of Health, Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I asked the Minister what priority this department places this in, and he stated that he places it as a priority, but among the other health issues that we face in the North, I would like to know if it is a high priority or a low priority.

Mr. Whitford.