Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are addressed to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Over the last, probably, year, I think, the department has been doing or has been starting and has been engaged in a facilities needs study for the city of Yellowknife. I know we referenced it, Members referenced it in our October 2009 discussions of the capital plan and we also talked about it in February when we discussed business plans for 2010-2011. There are renovations that are needed by several Yellowknife YK 1 schools and there also needs to be a permanent home for Aurora College; it’s badly needed.
In the deliberations, in October and February the Minister stated, I believe, that the report would be expected at the end of this fiscal year, which to me means the 31st of March 2010. We’re some six weeks beyond that. I’d like to ask the Minister if the study has been completed and when we can see the results.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The study has been completed. We are in consultation with the YK 1 school board and the college. We just need to consult with them on possibly proposed changes. We need to keep in mind that the college campus, the expiry date of 2012 at Northern United Place is a pressing issue that we need to deal with. Overall, the Yellowknife education facilities have been reviewed and there have been some proposed options that we have presented to the board and also to Yellowknife MLAs for their consideration. We’re still waiting for feedback by one of the school boards and then we can certainly share that information with the general public.
I would like to thank the Minister for his comments. The Minister mentions that there are a number of options. I do appreciate that there are options. He also mentions that they are in consultation with YK 1 and the college, then he stated they are waiting for one of the school boards. My understanding is that YK 1 has indicated their approval of one of the options, and if he is waiting for the Catholic system, then I guess I would ask them to hurry up.
I understand, as the Minister said, he’s confirmed to me my understanding is that the Aurora College lease expires in 2012. I’d like to ask the Minister if the option that is, or one of the options that is currently out there is not acceptable to somebody and these options are not approved, what plans does the Minister have for a permanent home for the YK Aurora College campus in the near future?
That is one of the options that we are discussing with YK 1 as well. Alternatives on the options. The decision that needs to come down and the recommendation to me as well, then make a final decision before the capital planning process begins. That’s why we’ve initiated this consultation and we are now on the verge of a final decision by the board to give us a green light to say we’re fine with the option that they are favouring. We’re just waiting for that response from the board.
I guess I’d like to thank the Minister again for his comments. Part of the facilities plan and the options that were presented, the work that was being done by the consultant to look into things was renovations, to complete the renovations, I should say, at Mildred Hall School and to do a very large and significant renovation of J.H. Sissons School. So I’d like to ask the Minister, are there plans being considered for those two renovation projects?
Throughout the consultation and also the Yellowknife educational facilities review, there has been undertaking of renovations. The renovations that have been highlighted has already been undertaken by our department and identified as a capital planning project on a long-term basis. Those facilities that need upgrade and major retrofit have been highlighted through our consultation with the school boards. Yes, the majority of the schools that require upgrade will definitely be part of the capital planning process.
Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. Final supplementary, Ms. Bisaro.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks to the Minister again. I guess I’d just like to confirm or have the Minister confirm for me, he talks about these renovations being part of the capital plan process. I would like to ask the Minister, does he mean that Aurora College renovations, Sissons renovations and Mildred Hall School renovations will be part of the 2011-2012 Capital Plan?
The minor renovations and major renovations that have been highlighted by our department on the capital planning process will continue as we move along. The Member is referring to certain facilities such as the Aurora College campus. The decision has to be made on options first, before we can proceed with the capital planning process. That is in the works and they are at the final stages.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
