Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I spoke about the Trout Lake School and the need to also advance that project.
I was doing my recent spring visit to Trout Lake, and the community, of course, raised it once again. The principal also showed me the facilities. As I said, the renovations I don’t think were properly completed. But there is still a need to upgrade that school and even build us a new school in Trout Lake, so I would like to know if the Education, Culture and Employment Minister has updated the forecast for the number of students in Trout Lake as people have returned to the community and the population continues to grow.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The Minister of Education, Mr. Lafferty.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. We’ve been closely monitoring Trout Lake, the population and the number of students in the school, as well, along with other schools that are in a similar calibre. Currently, we have approximately 19 students. That’s 58 percent being utilized in the school.
Those are just some of the numbers that we have in play. But we are in the process of visiting the community, and I want my staff to be in the community to look for themselves, because they are a part of the capital planning process, then I think that will make a difference. We are planning to visit the community within the next couple of weeks.
Certainly, the Minister has taken my offer to come and visit the community of Trout Lake, I believe it was June 24th, and they’re looking forward to his visit.
The Minister, I don’t know where he gets his facts when he’s saying it’s 58 percent underutilized, but at 20 students the school is already full. But anyway, the Minister can see for himself when we attend the school there.
Since February, when I last raised this issue in the House, what has the Minister and his staff done to advance the Trout Lake School project?
This particular school, Trout Lake, along with the Colville Lake school, has been brought to our attention on numerous occasions, even through a Rural and Remote Committee that I sit on, and also the Members. We are pushing that forward.
Part of the process of, again, education renewal will focus on the small community schools. We’re fully aware that some of the small, isolated communities are feeling left out when it comes to infrastructure. Those are some of the areas that we are currently discussing and engaging the community, the DECs, DEAs, and also meeting with Aboriginal leadership on the 27th of June to discuss further, even for them to provide solutions to our department as well. Those are the types of discussions we are currently having and we want to deliver that message as well. Mahsi.
Thank you very much. I’m glad he spoke about some of the processes, but is the Minister prepared to get it started? After this June meeting, what will be the process for getting the planning study into the books and into our budget? Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated, we are engaged with the community and the DEAs. The planning study is proposed for 2014-15, so that is earmarked that we are proposing as a department and then moving forward towards the capital projects based on that. A decision will be made from there. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that the Minister has mentioned 2014-15, a planning study and, of course, it was on the books for construction in 2018. In my Member’s statement I was speaking on behalf of the people of Trout Lake. That is too far away. I would like to have the Minister perhaps have the ability going to Trout Lake on June 24th with some positive answers to the community to advance this project. Is the Minister prepared to do that? Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, that is 2014-15 we have earmarked for the funding for a planning study. If there are any changes, we will definitely let the Member know in advance. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
