Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]
Mr. Speaker, this government understands the importance of building partnerships with aboriginal governments, municipalities and industry. In the Beaufort-Delta in particular, such partnerships have achieved great things. I recently had the opportunity to participate in the opening of the Aurora College student residence in Inuvik last month. The residence could not have been built without strong support from the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, the Gwich’in Tribal Council, the Town of Inuvik, Aurora College staff and students, and the people of Inuvik.
The residence fills an immediate need in the region as there was a lack of appropriate lodging for single students studying at the college. For the past few years single students have been sharing family residence spaces in the community. The partners in this project had the foresight to see that meeting the immediate need of the students from the region would have a much broader benefit to the community.
The facility itself was designed in consultation with the student community. The residence is bright, modern and located in close proximity to classes. It includes four large, well-kept kitchen-dining rooms, a lounge, recreation room, laundry facilities and 30 single rooms, including two barrier-free units on the first floor as well as barrier-free common areas on the first floor.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our partners as well, FSC Architects & Engineers and Dowland Contracting Ltd. Both companies worked on this project in partnership with the GNWT Department of Public Works and Services to ensure the design was appropriate and the project on schedule. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
