Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister indicate whether in fact a draft has been developed that does indicate that the plan is to cut discontinued library funding to try to parcel it out in a more equitable fashion, but not put any more new funding in? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe that there has been a draft that has been circulated for public comment. It certainly does not represent a position taken by the department. We are at this point in time, looking for comment only and there have been no decisions made as to how to proceed with this project from here. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister indicated that they have gone to the public for consultation. Could the Minister indicate the type of public consultation? Have library boards, for instance, been consulted at that level? My understanding was this was still a fairly exclusive piece of documentation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not believe that the process has become a public process yet. I think what has happened is that there have been some ideas kicked around. The department is looking for some guidance in terms of what would make sense to some people out there and I expect that the consultative process will broaden after there has been some refining of the initial kick at the can, if you will. Thanks.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister indicate whether he would be also referring the document, when it is ready, back to the appropriate standing committee, so that we as well could have input into this territorial wide review? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It has been the policy of this government to ensure that the Committees of this House are brought into the picture and we seek their guidance when talking about changes in policy. There will be no exception in this case, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, jobs are not guaranteed for anybody. What has happened is that there has been a change in the type of employment. Until now, principals have been employed in indeterminate positions, in other words there was no term involved. The new Act, which came into effect on July 1, 1996, states that principals could no longer be hired on an indeterminate status, but for five year terms. Until the Act was proclaimed on July 1, the principals were still in indeterminate positions. With the new Act coming into force on July 1, we then had to give principals notice. According to the collective agreement, they are required to receive 60 days notice regarding any change in the terms of their employment. Since the Act was not in force 60 days prior to July 1, 1996, that notice could not be given in advance, it could only be given subsequent to the Act coming into force. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, that is not a correct interpretation. The correct interpretation is that the maximum term of employment for a principal is five years, after which that term can be renewed by the Divisional

Education Council, if they should so choose. There are always methods to remove an employee who is not doing a good job. Do not think that this is a means of guaranteeing employment. It is just notification to principals that the terms of their employment have changed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would concur with the Member's comment that these are very important people in every community. I think that principals, by and large, across the Northwest Territories, are doing exceptional jobs in difficult circumstances. The previous Legislature saw a need to change the legislation so a principal's position was no longer indeterminate but was limited to a maximum of five years. Because that is set in legislation, we had no choice but to enforce it. The letter that has gone out is a clear response to legislation and is not tied to the community empowerment initiative. However, I would like to point out, Mr. Speaker, that the Education Act is probably one of the best examples that we have of community empowerment, already in place, in the Northwest Territories. Local communities, through this Act, can have, in consultation with Divisional Education Councils, significant powers in the administration and running of the schools in their communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.