Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] …things I will be talking about and I would like to talk to you in regard to education and about wondering how you might be able to assist us in coming up with a new school. [Translation ends]
…and I also know that money is going to be very tight, as Mr. Premier had said. But that is no excuse for planning for the needs of the people in Nahendeh, and particularly the young people of Nahanni Butte and Trout Lake who need new schools.
It seems we can spend more than $100 million on a super school in Inuvik and more than $180 million on the Deh Cho Bridge. Next to these projects, schools in Nahanni Butte and Trout Lake may be tiny but they are no less important. We have to educate our students wherever they live, including in our small communities.
The school in Nahanni Butte is an old log building. It really does need to be replaced. We also need to get started in Trout Lake. The situation there is even worse. Technically there is no school. Parents send their kids to the recreation centre for classes. Government has told the community that this was temporary, and this has been going on for way too long. The teachers are working hard, but the current system is not fair to them either. Their students that are from kindergarten to Grade 10 are jammed in the small, renovated area in the recreation centre. There is no gym in the community as well. I have been pushing for new schools in Trout Lake and Nahanni Butte for several years. What does it take to get some action for these communities?
It is the Department of Education’s duty to provide students with a healthy learning environment and that duty extends to all students across this territory, not just Inuvik and Yellowknife.
I want this government to do what is right and spend its money on the most important necessities in our regions and small communities. A decent education and facilities is a fundamental right. That means schools in Trout Lake and Nahanni Butte should be built before we spend money on new mega projects. The planning must begin now. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
