Yellowknife (Feb 28/03) - Justice Minister Roger Allen drew applause in the house on Wednesday when he announced new family violence legislation will be unveiled by June.

While costs of putting the legislation in place still need to be worked out, along with talks of new shelters, more social workers and even court staff, Allen said the time is now.

"This work will require the co-operation of all members of this house," Allen said.

"We are committed to moving ahead with this legislation as soon as possible."

When do we build a new school?

High schools in Yellowknife are filled to capacity, Yellowknife South MLA Brendan Bell said Monday, and he asked the minister of education when the education department steps in to help.

Education Minister Jake Ootes said while some schools in Yellowknife may be at a high capacity, other schools may not be as full, saying overall enrolment in local schools is about 80 per cent.

"Is the minister suggesting that what we should do when we have 132 per cent utilization at a high school is to move some of those high school students into a primary school?" asked Bell.

Ootes said his department begins looking at possibilities for additional schools when enrolment is 80 per cent.

Big Brother watching Internet use

There have been "several instances" where GNWT employees have been cautioned about Internet and e-mail use at the legislative assembly, said Public Service Minister Joe Handley on Tuesday.

Frame Lake MLA Charles Dent asked Handley's department to look into GNWT employee e-mail and Internet use, and what the current GNWT policies are.

On Tuesday, Handley reported there have been three cases where written reprimands were issued to employees about use of the Internet in the last year.

One GNWT employee was suspended for inappropriate use of the Internet.

The suspension has been grieved by the union, Handley said, "but the grievance process has not been completed."

Handley said he has seen people eBay shopping at the legislative assembly.

He even knows of someone who conducted work for another business using his GNWT office.

One thing that is immediate grounds for firing is finding pornography being viewed on a GNWT computer, Handley added.