Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are addressed to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and I’d like to follow up on my statement. Aurora College students, those attending classes here in Yellowknife, unfortunately some of them are in extremely crowded conditions. Some of them are in classrooms which have great heat variations, sometimes too cold, sometimes too hot. It’s not an optimal experience for them. I believe strongly, and I think many of the college staff and students also believe, that Yellowknife deserves a stand-alone campus similar to those in Inuvik and Fort Smith. I’d like to know from the Minister whether or not the Department of Education, Culture and Employment has a capital plan that includes planning for and construction of a stand-alone campus for Yellowknife. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I do agree that there needs to be a stand-alone campus along with other jurisdictions similar to them. However, we have to find the funds within the Government of the Northwest Territories to make that a reality.
There have been several meetings that happened over the years. Just recently there has been a meeting between the GNWT, college and city, just preliminary discussions that we have been having. We want to focus on what our options are that we can work with.
At the current stage, the lease agreement is up for the Northern United Place. We are in the process of renewing that from two years up to five years so we can plan for potentially a new building if that is the case. Those are the areas that we are continuously working towards. Mahsi.
Thanks to the Minister. I am really pleased to hear that there is actually something happening other than just talk. There has been a lot of talk in the last couple of years about maybe this happening, maybe that happening, but there has been nothing concrete.
I’m glad to hear the Minister say that he is meeting with the college board, but I guess I would like to know, when he says that they are looking at all options, does that include options such as P3 projects. Does that include options such as a corporate sponsor who might perhaps assist in the building of a college? Is the Minister seriously considering every possible option? Thank you.
Yes, those are the areas we are exploring and working closer with the Department of Public Works and Services as well. These are the areas that we have continuously in discussion with potential partners that may be out there.
There has been an issue that has been brought to our attention, is more emphasis on trades programming. There will be several partners potentially involved in this. Those are the discussions that we have recently had and will continue to have. We will keep Members up to speed on what is happening with that progress. Mahsi.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to know from the Minister my usual question in terms of when we might expect to see some progress on this particular project. From the Minister, can we expect to see a timeline for this project, some definite movement in a forward direction, not talk? Thank you.
Again, we have initiated a discussion just last week. There are players involved now. The corporate sectors, the city, the college, the GNWT is a partner in this and exploring options, as we indicated. Those are the areas of interest to us. We want to explore those options so we can share with our standing committee. We need to move forward on this. At this point we are renewing the lease agreement, so that is first things first and getting out and integrating with the potential partners. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Final, short supplementary, Ms. Bisaro.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks to the Minister. I do agree we have to move forward on this, but I heard no timeline except that we are going to renew a lease. Again, lots of talk and little action. If we are renewing this lease for three years, can I expect to see a timeline for construction within the next six or eight months? Thank you.
First of all we have to go through a process to find the funds. Those are the areas that we are discussing at this point. When that happens, then we will notify the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Blake.
