Debates of October 18, 2005 (day 12)

Mr. Speaker… (Translation) At this time, I’d like say I’m sorry that my phone rang, but maybe the call was from Fort Smith.

Mr. Speaker, it takes a lot of effort, patience and persistence to find the right high chair match for a child in your home community. You can well imagine, Mr. Speaker, the time and effort it would take to locate and interview, and select and pay an individual that will meet your child's and your family’s needs when you are living outside of your home community. Compound this with the fact that if you are a student or a single parent, you can well imagine, Mr. Speaker, the stress this structure might have on you. So my question, Mr. Speaker, is what is the department’s immediate plan to meet these needs? Next week, I believe, is the closure of the day care. What will the Minister do about it between now and next week about the closure of the day care in Fort Smith? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. I’m not sure what Minister I’ll address your question to. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 143-15(4): Day Care Services For Fort Smith Students

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member may know, the day care he is speaking of is a society that is not in the direct responsibility of the government. There are some issues that it is facing, the main one being a financial one. The director of the day care, I understand, is putting together the financial records. We haven’t seen them yet, so I don’t know the detail on their financial status, but I understand that the day care is at risk of closing very shortly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 143-15(4): Day Care Services For Fort Smith Students

(Translation) Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that you are right, so I know that we do help the students with student financial assistance. On top of helping with the student financial assistance, the organization is under the government, but I don’t want any of my students to drop out and any of my constituents who are in courses to drop out. What is the Minister willing to do about it?

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 143-15(4): Day Care Services For Fort Smith Students

Mr. Speaker, I wasn’t sure what the question was, but, Mr. Speaker, the closure of the day care will create a disruption for students who have young children, preschoolers and babies. But, Mr. Speaker, we have to wait for the records, we have to know what is happening with that particular day care before any decision can be made on it. Mr. Speaker, I should say, there are a number of day homes in Fort Smith, and I’m sure the college people would be ready to help any parents who are students in trying to find a suitable day home where their preschoolers and babies can be kept in the interim until this other business is sorted out. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 143-15(4): Day Care Services For Fort Smith Students

(Translation) Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m talking about the students, I’m talking on behalf of the Tlicho students, the students from the Tlicho region, the Deh Cho, Sahtu, and Yellowknife. What will the department do specifically for the students living outside their communities, such as the students from the Akaitcho, the Tlicho, the Deh Cho, the Sahtu? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 143-15(4): Day Care Services For Fort Smith Students

Mr. Speaker, when students apply for student financial assistance, their family status and their needs are taken into consideration. So if it is a family who have preschool-aged children who need to be taken care of while the college student is at class, we take that into consideration. We do provide support, as a government, to all of the licensed day cares, and in this case, we’re supporting this one Mr. Lafferty is speaking about. If it’s needed for these children to be placed in day homes, then, of course, that would be taken into consideration as well. Now I would urge students at the college to talk with the college staff and get help in finding day homes in the event that this day care closes its doors soon. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Your final supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 143-15(4): Day Care Services For Fort Smith Students

(Translation) Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m talking about the three students from the Tlicho region. I know that next week there will be no more day care. What is the Premier saying he’s willing to do? Another question is, what has the department done to ensure these parents are being resourced to help with the day care services?

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 143-15(4): Day Care Services For Fort Smith Students

Mr. Speaker, let me say, first of all, that we want the students to continue with their education. We will do whatever we can to make sure that it is possible for them to continue, and for their preschool-aged children to be properly cared for while they’re at classes. Mr. Speaker, the college will help the individuals find a suitable day home. Second, Mr. Speaker, if there is a need for additional resources, then that is something the students should be talking to student financial assistance about and, again, I’m sure the college will be prepared to help them with that, as well. Most importantly, we want to see those students continue their schooling. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.