Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This afternoon I’d like to talk about barrier-free schools and playgrounds. It is my understanding, Mr. Speaker, that this government stands for inclusive education and has for a long time. The issue being raised today is that some parents recently requested money from the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to improve accessibility at one of the Yellowknife schools, because at least one of their students is confined to a wheelchair and they wanted to make sure that the playground was as accessible as possible to them. However, Mr. Speaker, their funding was denied. Mr. Speaker, it’s my view, to deny one child the ability to play and certainly enjoy fun time with their fellow friends is certainly one child too many from enjoying these lively and important activities.
If we want education to be inclusive, we need it to be fully barrier-free at all levels, from door to door, and that includes the playground. Mr. Speaker, buildings being built today are certainly taking these considerations into effect, but the old schools that have been built years ago do not necessarily have all the standards to meet the modern needs of today. Mr. Speaker, this is a territorial problem, not just a Yellowknife problem, and I would say that every school should have the ability to say their school and playground is as accessible as reasonably possible. I cannot say that enough, that all schools need to have this, again a territorial program.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment needs to work to develop a long-term strategy that ensures that all schools and playgrounds are accessible. I realize funding just doesn’t fall from the tree, but I certainly know that some strategy could be developed.
Mr. Speaker, the call to arms to deal with this problem was when the parents decided to set up a link on the N.J. Macpherson website to get parents to help vote to get funding for their program. There is a group organization called Aviva Community Fund and they, based on votes from parents, will give away money to schools to help them with this problem.
Mr. Speaker, our playgrounds are special places for our youth as they grow up. I know that the Minister understands this, having so many children himself, the importance of good education and children having fun. So, Mr. Speaker, I urge this government to take this problem seriously and to do what it can today to help those kids of our tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
