Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Education Act was passed by the 12th Assembly, I believe in the spring of 1995, and came into force on July 1, 1996. That act reflects the Canadian Charter of Rights which prohibits the teaching of a specific religion in schools. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does this mean that religious classes cannot be held in any way in the local schools?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what that means is that religious classes could not be held during the school program. If the local community feels that a religious program should be offered after school hours, for instance, that is still possible. It does not prohibit teachers, during a course of study, teaching about various religions, but it does prohibit the teaching of a specific religion during school hours. Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Education. It is in regard to the statements that we have been hearing in regard to the incident in Fort MacPherson where there was a teacher supposedly run out of town in which he had to live in a tent. Basically, the statements we are hearing on the radio sound like a real novel in regard to where things were at and what was happening with myself being involved in a situation where I was talking with people at the local education council, the teachers, the president of the teachers federation in regard to what was happening there. I think that in light of the incident that did occur, there is still a shortage of teachers in the community, and there is still a need to assist students who may be having some tough times in regard to violence that is occurring in the classrooms. It is not only happening in the Mackenzie Delta, but it is happening elsewhere in the Northwest Territories. My question to the Minister is, what has his department done to alleviate the problem in Fort MacPherson to assist the community with the incident that did occur? Also, the filling of those vacancies in Fort MacPherson at this time?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the individual who is named in the press reports left the Northwest Territories without following through on some of the comments that he had apparently made. So, we were not able to verify both sides of the story. I do not think it would be appropriate for me to respond to questions relating to that particular incident. However, in response to the question about what the department has done regarding supporting the community and trying to deal with the situations of violence, it is a policy of the department, and it is contained in the Education Act, that every divisional education council shall have a policy relating to violence in the school. I would expect that the education council will have asked the district education authority to follow through on their policy. We have not been approached, as far as I know, by the divisional education council, who are responsible for hiring teachers in the region, for any special assistance at present. I am not aware that they are having a problem filling the vacant position. If they are, I will look into it and will get back to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regard to the vacant positions, I think it is crucial and probably critical that those positions be filled as soon as possible because of the incident. Not only what happened recently, but in the last two years in which the school burned down, then basically, the children had to be put into make-shift classrooms. I think the frustration that the community had to go through, it seemed like we were going through these ups and downs and just recover from one instance where we are running into another. So, I think if there is a way with yourself, as the Minister and working along with the Beaufort Divisional Board of Education and the community to try to alleviate these problems and I think it will hopefully make for a very great Christmas present for the Mackenzie Delta at this time.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said, I am not aware that the divisional education council is having a problem filling the position. They have not approached me nor have I heard from the chair of the board advising me that they are having a problem. I will ask my departmental officials to check with the board and find out how they are progressing with filling that position and if necessary, see if there is some way we can assist them with finding personnel. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for Mr. Kakfwi, the Minister of Renewable Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development regarding the diamond issue. As I spoke earlier, we were taken aback by the move of Mr. Lazarovich not appearing before the Yellowknife Task Force on looking at the diamond valuation and sorting facility to be established in Yellowknife. I understand that the Minister and the Minister of Finance met with the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development's Minister and the federal Minister of Finance, and I understand that there were some discussions taking place that there may be further action on their part to be made with regard to attracting and putting the diamond and valuation sorting facility here in the north. Could the Minister tell us what action is being taken on the federal/territorial level? Thank you.