Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

No, Mr. Speaker. I believe the position will be refilled -- just putting a mental picture -- probably within three weeks, a maximum of four weeks.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is much discussion and public airing about this and outcry from the Delta, as this individual is from the Delta. There was a commitment made by the Premier as well as the Minister as to a certain action plan that has been followed up. Now, we have reached the time limit of that action plan, so what has occurred to extend this time line? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So the Minister is making a commitment in this House that in three or four weeks, that position will be filled by the existing person that is there? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

That is correct, Mr. Speaker. The individual who was in the position will be returning. There has just been a leave for the moment. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of Justice. Reacting to some of the media reports today about shortages at the RCMP detachment in Yellowknife and the potential for cutting some programs around the North, like the DARE Program, as well as a reduction in service levels, a possible inability to respond to property offences, obviously I am very concerned. We all know that the RCMP perform an invaluable service in this community and around the North. Can the Minister of Justice update us and tell us what is going on here?

Thank you, Mr. Bell. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Justice, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we too were very surprised at the announcement. It came suddenly, unexpectedly. Certainly we recognize it would put some tremendous differences, especially on the DARE Program. We also feel that some of the other areas were never really fully complemented in terms of some of the policing, in terms of its approach, so we intend to consult with the chief superintendent on this matter upon his return. This certainly is...for the next period of time, we are trying to wait for more information on the detail. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is very concerning. We have been trying to get away from single member detachments and we have been lobbying this government to put funding in so we can have all two-member departments, at least. You know, when we see something like this, I am really concerned that programs like the DARE Program will drop off and be gone forever. Will the Minister give us a commitment that this government will step into the breach, if that is required, and make sure that this program does not die?

Thank you, Mr. Bell. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Justice, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is purely preliminary. We are still assessing the situation. We are still assessing the news release on this matter. We do require a bit of time so that we may address this with the chief superintendent upon his return to Yellowknife. That is as much information that we can provide the Member at this time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Bell.

Thank you. Can the Minister let us know when we are expecting the return of the chief superintendent? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Justice, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I expect that we should have word sometime this week upon his return. We will advise the Member. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is again for the Minister of Education. I for one find it hard to believe the Minister that things are going to be hunky-dory in another three weeks. It has already been three-and-a-half months, and yet nothing has really been done to allow this individual to come back to the workplace and carry out her duties.

I for one had an opportunity to speak to the Minister and speak to the individual personally on this matter. She has been sitting at home for two weeks waiting for a phone call from the department. I would like to ask the Minister again, why is it such a hard pill to swallow for your department to allow this individual to come back into the workplace?