Michael McLeod

Mr. Speaker, the quick answer to that is no. The evaluation is something we plan to do. At this stage it’s too early to go down and do the evaluations in the communities. We’d wait a little while longer before we start that.

The decision will be made by the Department of Education whether to bring it forward. Mr. Speaker, the time frame will be revolving around the capital planning process and when the decisions are made there. That’s the process we have to follow.

The Member is correct that there is a significant amount of upgrading and retrofit that's required in the school. Our report — I believe we're looking at the same report — confirms that. That information has been provided to the Department of Health.

In this case, we've had a situation where some material fell off the heating pipes. We haven't confirmed if it is asbestos as of yet. However, we have taken the precaution of having air quality testing done. We've taken the material and sent it south, and we're waiting for those results. We suspect that the material may contain some asbestos, but...

The Member has pointed out an excellent point that needs to be considered by all planning departments that deal with Public Works and Services. In the case of Fort Simpson, there’s an additional cost of $80,000. That’s $80,000 more than the department that the community would need to come up with.

So, Mr. Speaker, it’s not a decision I can make in isolation. I have made the commitments to have that discussion.

The Public Works and Services standards for building construction usually focus on safety and design efficiencies, and not so much on artwork. It’s something that we still haven't adopted as part of our government to include in our infrastructure. Adding an art component to our infrastructure sometimes doesn't make sense, as in the case of water treatment plants or sewer treatment facilities. It adds to the cost overall, and it really starts to complicate things when we start designing facilities and buildings and try to accommodate the artwork.

This is something we have to have further...

Mr. Speaker, the question is beyond my responsibility as MACA’s mandate and jurisdiction. It should be directed towards Health and Social Services.

Mr. Speaker, I would expect that all departments are paying close attention to the survey and the evaluation that’s going on in Aklavik and will respond accordingly.

I trust that question was posed to me.

There are a number of sources of funding that have been flowing to the communities up to now that deal with water quality, water supply and things of that nature.

The Member is right. We are discussing and negotiating a new source of funding with the Government of Canada called the Building Canada Fund. We’re also talking about an extension to the gas tax. Mr. Speaker, both these sources can be utilized for community infrastructure. At this time it’s really difficult to see how much of it will be earmarked for communities, but a portion, we believe, will...

Mr. Speaker, I believe we’ve already done that. We’ve taken the review from our staff and all the technical evaluation that was required and made note of where our concerns were. We have forwarded and are recommending to the department that they seriously come forward with a retrofit for this facility. It is 34 years old and is due for a serious upgrade to remove some of these areas of concern that the parents have and that their children may be facing.

Mr. Speaker, our job is to do the evaluation and take an assessment of the condition of the school. We have done that. We’ve shared that with the principal and the MLAs. We’ve also forwarded it to the Department of Education. They are making an assessment and will make the decision to bring it forward.

Public Works doesn’t purchase art or provide for art. I would have to make that request to the planning department, and I’ll do that.