Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. We are dealing with the capital budgets for various departments in this session. I have looked high and low and I am sad to say there is not a single dollar set aside to start work on a new school in Trout Lake.
The school in Trout Lake is located in one room at the community hall and it is too small. When the original log school was damaged by fire, the government said temporary placement in this community hall. For years I have urged the government to begin planning for a new school. I have to say, I now understand how a teacher must feel when the students are not listening.
The last information I had from the Education Minister was that work could not begin before 2018. It is too long a wait and this government should be embarrassed. A whole generation of students and teachers will be stuck in an inadequate school.
I have supported the construction of new schools all over this territory. Inuvik has a $100 million super-school, and I am happy for that community. We have expanded schools in Yellowknife, renovated schools in Hay River, put new schools in Tulita and Good Hope. I could go on, but you get the point. The very smallest communities seem to be left out.
I have said, time and time again, that everyone across our great territory should have equal access to education and equal opportunity to learn. The reality is access to education is not equal across the Northwest Territories. I know families in various communities who feel they have to send their children away to larger centres to get proper education.
I know that this government says it’s always short of money, especially, it seems, for a school in Trout Lake, and I am sick of hearing it. It is unfair to the people of Trout Lake, especially for the students and teachers. This government can find the money and should find the money. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.
