Debates of August 15, 2007 (day 10)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak today on the Gameti school addition. It is with regret to inform you that the GNWT offered the community of Gameti a totally different plan from its original plan. GNWT is offering two options to consider. One option would see the project redesigned to reduce costs and delay for a decision by the next Assembly. Another option would put off construction of a gymnasium for an unspecified time in the future and bringing in modular classroom units and tacking them on to an existing building. I, personally, find these proposed plans a poor excuse for a solution to a problem that we are facing in the community of Gameti. The plans do not meet anyone’s needs; certainly not the students, the parents or the community, Mr. Speaker.

These plans don’t help anyone, not even the GNWT. It just seems to be a poorly thought out attempt to put something in place and move on to another issue regardless of whether what is put in place is of any value.

Mr. Speaker, this is not the first time the GNWT had to deal with a hot economy and the high cost of construction in isolated communities. A similar project in Tulita, my neighbouring community, brought in debts several million beyond the government’s estimate. The GNWT found the funds for this project.

Mr. Speaker, for the Gameti project, the GNWT is struggling that a redesign is needed to come out with a cheaper school, that even redesign then must wait until after the election for any decision on funding. This is foolish, Mr. Speaker. A redesign will not make the school cheaper. The existing design is not excessive. The costs are not because of the design. The costs are because of the marketplace. A marketplace is not going to change in a community.

Mr. Speaker, a contractor is not going to find an electrical subcontractor or other trades easier because of redesign. We also don’t have to wait until another election to make this decision, Mr. Speaker. We were elected and put here to make decisions now. We can do so certainly in this session at least until the term ends.

Mr. Speaker, the GNWT…

Mr. Lafferty, your time for Member’s statement has expired.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Mahsi.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, the GNWT is also suggesting that classroom modules made by workers in the South and shipped to the North is a solution. This too is foolishness, Mr. Speaker. Not only do we get substandard products that are not what we really want, we also make sure that there is little work, or no work, for the communities. This is not acceptable for people of Gameti, the chief of the community and the Tlicho Government Community Services Agency.

Mr. Speaker, just to conclude, I realize there is a cost factor involved here, not only the economic money issue. As a government, we see day to day the importance of recreational facilities in a community for young people. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister at a later date. Mahsi.