Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]
Earlier this year, in January, I gave a Member’s statement on the deplorable condition of the playground equipment at the Echo-Dene School in Fort Liard. The community is very concerned about how the existing equipment is beyond repair and the pressure treatment used on the wood does not meet current national standards for safety. As well, the playground site itself needs to be backfilled and re-levelled.
Last month I was very pleased when Jackson Lafferty, the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, visited Fort Liard. During an Aurora College community tour, Minister Lafferty got a good look at how bad this playground was, with its outdated equipment and unsafe conditions. A few days later, Mr. Tom Beaulieu, the chair of the Standing Committee on Social Programs, along with members of his committee was in Fort Liard. They too saw the condition it is in and why it is not used by the children. Needless to say, the condition of the playground has not been improved.
Mr. Speaker, we know that children who participate in active recreation are at an advantage in regard to health and academic achievement. Mr. Speaker, we have agreed on priorities in this, the 16th Assembly, that include promoting healthy choices and enhancing early childhood education. The playground offers both. Our priorities also include working with communities and schools to improve the physical and mental well-being of our youth. Let’s keep our promises and provide this playground for the children in Fort Liard, beginning this summer and fall.
The community has raised about $26,000 towards this goal. Our government has yet to make a contribution for much needed school playground equipment. In January I was advised that ECE is working to identify the funding in this year’s budget and, Mr. Speaker, I continue to implore the Minister of Education to provide funding for this playground so that it can be worked on this summer and put in place for this fall. Mahsi cho.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
