Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The policy kind of conflicts here. First it says whether the building is over 40 years old you will get a new building. Then it says 20 years after major retrofit, which will still be way over 40 years.

So I’d like to ask the Minister, will the Minister ensure that Moose Kerr School is put on the right flag list? Thank you.

Last week the Minister did confirm that we were going to go ahead with construction for a new school here. My question pertains to the community consultation.

Will the Minister assure me that his department will consult with the community members to ensure a new school building accommodates their needs?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to return to my concerns about Moose Kerr School in Aklavik. Last week I noted the school was built in 1969. That’s exactly the same year as Samuel Hearne Secondary School in Inuvik. That school was demolished and replaced a couple of years ago.

Moose Kerr School was one of the oldest buildings in the Northwest Territories. The school did get a major retrofit in 1999 with an extension of the senior high wing and the addition of the library.

Last week the Minister of Public Works and Services confirmed the government’s policy to replace buildings at 40 years...

There are a number of problems with this school here, whether it’s the foundation, electrical, plumbing, a number of issues. This building was built in 1969. That’s well over the 40 year mark. It’s time for a replacement. We had confirmation last week. Will the Minister live up to his confirmation that there will be a new building?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Public Works and Services. Will the Minister confirm when a planning study will be undertaken for replacement of the school in Aklavik?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In follow-up from my Member’s statement I have two questions for the Minister that I’ll just refer to the Premier. As the Premier might recall, there were on-the-land programs through Justice.

Did the department select a person or group to operate the on-the-land program in the Beaufort-Delta region? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The requests for proposal ended in January. I’d just like to ask, is the department waiting until April 1st to begin this program? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier in this session I asked about the progress of the on-the-land program as the closing date for expression of interest was the end of January.

As we get closer to spring, I am hopeful we have this program in place as the spring is, in my opinion, the best time to be out on the land. This is a good opportunity for those in our corrections facilities, and I’m positive there will be a lot of interest.

I’ll have questions for the Minister later today. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just some brief comments. I’m really pleased to see these funds finally making it through the budget here. Specifically, on Highway No. 8, the Dempster Highway, as mentioned last year, we had a lot of people unemployed over the summer because this highway, the funds ran out, and I’m glad to see that these funds are now in place for the next 10 years here. A lot of people are going to be happy this summer with a lot of work up in my riding along the Dempster.

Also, as I mentioned, big improvements on this stretch of highway compared to the Yukon. We get a lot of compliments...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just looking at the projections for the next couple years here, I see next year we have scheduled only $4,000. The reason is that lease is coming to an end. What are the department’s plans to move forward for the next 20 years? Is it going to work with the community for another lease on possibly a new building?