Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to deliver a good news story today on the successes of the trades program currently being offered at Diamond Jenness Secondary School in Hay River. Mr. Speaker, there are a number of valuable trades orientated programs currently being offered to Diamond Jenness students. There is a mechanics program, a welding program, a housing construction program, and the schools north apprenticeship program.

Mr. Speaker, the mechanics program is a new program that exposes students to auto mechanics. Local mechanic, Mr. Norm Gour, has for the past seven months and continues to donate his time on a volunteer basis to the success of this program. Under his guidance, students participate in classroom demonstrations, activities and community field trips. Corporate sponsorship from both Kingland Ford and Bumper to Bumper have been instrumental in the success of this program.

The welding program, Mr. Speaker, is in its second year, and has doubled in size and stature. Students participate in classroom demonstrations, welding activities, and community field trips. Sponsorship from NTCL and the Canadian Coastguard have greatly contributed to the success of this program.

Mr. Speaker, the housing program is a successful partnership between the NWT Housing Corporation and the school. Students participate in hands-on construction of residential housing units. Local tradespersons who specialize in carpentry, drywalling, painting, electrical, plumbing, heating, cabinetry and floor covering instruct students, and all hours donated by these trades people are strictly on a volunteer basis. Approximately 3,800 student hours are donated yearly to this extremely valuable program.

Another program currently being offered, Mr. Speaker, is the schools north apprenticeship program. This program involves a partnership between the students, Education, Culture and Employment, Diamond Jenness and our local businesses. Sponsorship includes Kingland Manufacturing, Kingland Ford, Bumper to Bumper and Poison Painting.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to give a tremendous credit at this time to the efforts of Mr. Tim Borchuk the shop teacher at Diamond Jenness, and Mr. John Ashcroft, who have been hired to oversee the shop students. The tremendous vision shown by these two men in maintaining the trades program is to be commended. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You have unanimous consent to conclude your statement.

Paul Delorey

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, the Housing Corporation’s sponsorship of the housing program has resulted in allowing DJSS to diversify its trades program. If it were not for their assistance, the school would not be able to offer the housing program, the welding program, or the welder mechanics program.

I would just like to propose that there is more work to be done. Our high school is 30 years old and has not been updated to reflect the needs of the growing NWT economy. With the growing needs for skilled trades persons and the implementation of the career technology studies program, our current facility is maximized. Mr. Speaker, an expanded facility and increased funding for instruction at Diamond Jenness will not only satisfy the current demands, but will allow for expansion into the pre-trades education. Mr. Speaker, I will continue to work to ensure that this becomes a reality. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause