Debates of October 24, 2006 (day 14)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Speaker, I mentioned 18 graduates from the two Aurora College programs that graduated this month. The programs were partly administered and delivered out of a trailer, a 20 foot by 50 foot building. Now, Mr. Speaker, how is it that we can live in such a dilemma? We are encouraging our students to get all the things they can, only to make it an old ATCO trailer that they are getting the programs out of. Can the Minister inform me what his department is doing to improve this trailer park college? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 168-15(5): Aurora College Infrastructure Requirements

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like the Member, I would like to express my congratulations to the grads from the recent programs offered in Norman Wells. That campus has been extremely active and very proficient in seeing graduates get through the facility and the facility is somewhat challenging, as the Member has pointed out. ECE continues to work with our partners at Public Works to explore what options there may be for replacing that building in the future. We are prepared to look at different options. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 168-15(5): Aurora College Infrastructure Requirements

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The campus that he’s referring to is very challenging. It’s like a honeybee's nest with all the flies and bumble bees flying around because it’s so active. We have an increase of activity. We have self-government negotiations. We have business in our communities that are expanding. I would like to ask, Mr. Speaker, what type of short-term options may be planned for the Aurora College facility in Norman Wells? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 168-15(5): Aurora College Infrastructure Requirements

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the long run, what I would hope to see is a new building that would be government owned that would accommodate the classroom space that we need to provide that community and that region with the adequate training space. In the short term, I think we are prepared to consider leasing a premises or whatever. I do agree with the Member that that facility is in dire need of being replaced. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 168-15(5): Aurora College Infrastructure Requirements

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to hear the Minister talk about the short-term option of leasing premises or leasing some form of facility to encourage the students to continue their education. Mr. Speaker, I also hope that the Minister would give some thought in terms of a new facility that they would consider the community or the region of the Sahtu or any other region before they get their facility. Mr. Speaker, in terms of the short term and leasing of a premises, when would the people in the Sahtu know that they could possibly look at a new facility in the short term under the answer by the Minster? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 168-15(5): Aurora College Infrastructure Requirements

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said, I have been talking with my colleague, the Minister of Public Works, about this issue. We don’t have a solution at this point, but we are aware of the pressing need in the community and we will continue to work to get a facility into the long-term capital plan and look for a short-term solution to the inadequate space. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 168-15(5): Aurora College Infrastructure Requirements

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Minister again for supporting people in the Sahtu in terms of a short-term solution. When can I ask the Minister to make a commitment to coming to our region and talk about a leasing of a premises so that people could have an idea as to when they will see a facility in the Sahtu that would make them all smile when they go to the Aurora College classroom?

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 168-15(5): Aurora College Infrastructure Requirements

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I always enjoy visiting the Member’s communities with him when given an opportunity to travel in the Sahtu. I would welcome the opportunity to join him in a visit to Norman Wells to address that issue in the not-too-distant future. Thank you.