Caroline Cochrane

Like I stated earlier, currently the future plan for the school is that we will be doing the demolition project. We will be doing the playground. I would love to say that we were giving them a new school. I know that they have wanted that for many years. I would love to have new schools in every community. The reality, though, is that we don't have the funding, so we have to look at schools based on the age of them, the condition, and the utilization rate. Unfortunately, the age is old; the condition rate is good; and the utilization rate, I think, is 36 percent or something really low, so it...

We did find, when we assessed the portables, that there were hazardous materials, so we were going to take them out of there. We thought that it would be completed in August. However, the bids were not successful and so the procurement process did delay the project, but we are on it now. We are expecting that the demolition will take place coming up this March, and then the playground will be completed. The playground will start in the spring, but the demolition should be completed by summer of this coming year.

I want to meet with the Member after session, because I am little bit confused as to whether he is talking about now or a previous meeting with the parents. Normally, whenever we do any major construction we meet with the community and with parents to get them aware and to address any concerns that they may have. When we are looking at the demolition of the portables, we will do that process, as well.

If the Member is speaking about something different, which I figure he might be, then if you could please let me know, and then I can address those issues, as well.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is right. There have been quite a few schools, actually, this winter that have actually closed, mostly because of cold weather. That, I can't monitor. I mean, we all can look outside. That, I can't have any say over, unfortunately. Cold weather is good for other things, though.

When there are smaller issues in the schools that come up, for example, if there are problems with boilers or problems with Internet and stuff, usually what happens is the principal is notified. The principal then notifies the superintendent, who notifies the school authority. We do...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Pursuant to section 32(2) of the Financial Administration Act, I wish to table the following two also heavy documents entitled "Annual Reports for Northwest Territories Education Bodies for the 2017-2018 School Year Ending June 30, 2018" and "Operating Plans for Northwest Territories Education Bodies for the 2018-2019 School Year Ending June 30, 2019." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a list of people I would like to recognize today. I would like to recognize Mr. Fraser Oliver and David Murphy from the Northwest Territories Teacher's Association. Thank you for being here.

The Native Women's Association, we have from the board of directors Ms. Liza Piper, the president; Mabel Brown; Rita Banksland; Cheryl Voytilla; Karen Caesar; Emma Amundson; Angela McKay; Jane Weyallon; Therese Villeneuve. From the staff of the Native Women's Association, we have Jennie Turner; Rachel Tambour-Zoe; Marie Speakman; Tina Hawker; Delilah Turner...

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled "GNWT Culture and Heritage Action Plan Strong Cultures, Strong Communities, Strong Territory, 2019-2022" and pursuant to Section 13(2) of the Status of Women Council Act, I wish to table the 2017-2018 Annual Report Status of Women Council of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Earlier I had said, I need to give credit where credit is due, and I also have to take responsibility where responsibility is due. I did see that as it was fulfilled, and I am not okay with that. We are actually adjusting that. We will have a more complete plan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Providing professional development for daycare staff or for people who are looking into getting into the field is part of the solution to making childcare more affordable and more accessible. If we don't have qualified staff to provide the services, it is not accessible. We had people in childcare centres who don't have the qualifications. We are trying to improve them.

Our children are our most valuable resource. We need to provide the support so that they get the quality programming. We are providing the two-year early childhood development. It is going to be a diploma...

I didn't know, actually. I had made the assumption, a wrongful assumption, it looks like, that that was already shared with standing committee, so I will make a commitment that we will share that with standing committee at the earliest convenience. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.