Yellowknife (Oct 13/06) - Religion was the main issue on the table Wednesday night as Catholic school board candidates faced the public in a pre-election forum.

About 50 people attended the event, held at St. Patrick high school gym, to hear from six of 11 trustee hopefuls and ask questions.

Quotes from candidates who were unable to attend the meeting, which were read in prepared statements: Amy Hacala, read by sister Ali Simpson: Wants to ensure her children can get the "ethical, faith-based education she enjoyed." Larry Purcka, read by YCS Superintendent Kern Von Hagen: "I want to ensure that we teach as per the gospel." Debbi Ross, read by Von Hagen, said that if parents "are ready to continue to entrust children to our board," they should vote for an all-Catholic school board. Debora Simpson, read by daughter Ali Simpson: "(When she was on the board it) was made up of Catholics and non-Catholics who worked diligently together. This is what is needed to bring stability back to the board." Mary Vane, read by Von Hagen: "This is a district that continues to strive for excellence."

The majority of the questions focused on the issue of a Catholic-only board.

"This isn't about being a good person, or a good humanitarian. We're the only faith-based system in the North," said incumbent Brian Nagel. "It's not about being good, it's about being Catholic."

Amy Hacala and her mother Debora Simpson - the only two non-Catholics running - were not present due to a previously planned vacation to British Columbia. Speaking on their behalf was Hacala's sister, Ali Simpson.

Superintendent Kern Von Hagen spoke for Mary Vane, Larry Purcka and Debbi Ross, who were also all away on business trips or vacations.

Nagel wasn't alone in his views. When the six candidates were asked if they wanted a school board consisting entirely of Catholics, they all answered yes.

Incumbent Shannon Gullberg said if the board isn't managed and controlled by Catholics, it calls into question its constitutional right to exist.

"From a legal perspective, it's imperative we're all Catholic."

The candidates stressed that this was not a personal attack against Hacala or Simpson.

"It's not about (Amy Hacala). She's a beautiful person," said Jennifer Debogorski, who is running for the first time.

Debogorski said she decided to get involved because she was concerned about the possible demise of the Catholic school system.

"It scared me to think that," she said.

Newcomer Linda Jardine said her motivation for running was the apparent lack of interest among Yellowknifers.

"I was seeing an apathy towards Catholic education. I don't think Catholics truly understand that Catholic education is a gift."

Not every parent with a student in the Catholic school system would understand the desire for an all-Catholic board, and some may even consider it offensive, Gullberg acknowledged. She hopes that parents will see beyond what she called sensationalism.

"I would hope that if parents like what we've done it won't affect them," she said.

During the forum, Gullberg accused the territorial government of refusing to recognize YCS as a distinct school district and said Yellowknife Education District No. 1 has "openly advocated amalgamation" of the two districts.

"We have been under attack by the government," she said.

Trustee candidates were questioned about whether the Catholic-only move would lead to further restrictions, on trustees and potentially staff, with one audience member asking whether a potential trustee could be challenged for "being Catholic enough."

"There is no plan for any foolproof test of Catholic-icity," said Haley.

St. Arnaud said he would like all teachers to be Catholic, but acknowledged that attracting teachers to the North is difficult enough without restricting hiring to Catholics-only.