Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to raise an issue that has been brought to me by a constituent of mine. The issue in part, Mr. Speaker, is the recent recruitment drive conducted jointly by the Department of Education, the Northwest Territories' five divisional education councils and two Yellowknife education authorities.

Mr. Speaker, while I agree that recruitment and retention of teachers is critical to the well-being of our children, the method used currently to attract teachers may not be all that it can be. Mr. Speaker, it has been brought to my attention that we have qualified teachers currently working as special needs assistants in the school systems in the North. It is my understanding that when teachers' jobs become available, these qualified individuals are not even granted an interview. Mr. Speaker, special needs assistants, or SNAs, as they are referred to, are part of the Union of Northern Workers and not the teachers' union, even though some of them hold teaching designations.

Mr. Speaker, I have some concerns about the recruitment drive across Canada at untold expense to the taxpayer when we have qualified teachers right in our backyard. If we were to hire these individuals, who in many cases are long-term Northerners, we would not have the concerns such as housing and moving costs. Mr. Speaker, I would like to see the Department of Education conduct a survey of all staff throughout the Northwest Territories school system that would indicate qualifications, because it appears that some people are being overlooked.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, I would like to see the department undertake a local recruitment drive encompassing the communities of Hay River, Fort Smith, Inuvik and surrounding communities. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will have further questions for the Minister responsible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.