Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. In my Member's statement, Mr. Speaker, I mentioned that it was Education Week and there's a lot to celebrate. But I think there's also a need to turn our attention to the lack of support for alternatives to mainstream schooling.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that there are alternatives out there that are being employed -- perhaps here in Yellowknife and in the South -- and the time is now for alternative solutions in the community of Hay River.
Mr. Speaker, on May 31, 2004, I stated to the Minister that the special needs funding available is not sufficient for programming for the community of Hay River and its school. As an alternative solution, I asked if they could make application for additional funding. The Minister commented that special needs funding had grown from $6 million to $16 million and he would be issuing a directive in the fall to the DEC chairs outlining what is an acceptable use of these special needs funds. So today, Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister if he could please advise this House as to the nature of that directive that was contemplated. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.