Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During this Education Week I just want to raise one of the things that I have been consistent about for the community of Sambaa Ke, which is Trout Lake. They have always impressed upon me about the need to have a brand new school for the community. I raise it once again with the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. How much planning has been done? Has he heard the community in working towards building a new school for Trout Lake? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. We did hear from the community. I also work closely with the chair of the DEC as well. They have raised those issues in the past. We need to look at the overall schools in the Northwest Territories. Trout Lake is part of that process that we need to discuss. The situation it is in, the age of the building and the space of the building, this are information that we have been gathering. We will discuss it further as we move forward to the next year’s capital planning process. Mahsi.
Mr. Speaker, over the course of seven years we spent hundreds of millions of dollars in our larger communities building new schools. I think it is time to start concentrating on our small and remote communities, in Trout Lake. I think the capital planning process and the priorities of this government should start concentrating on the small, remote communities. Will the Minister work with his Cabinet colleagues and start investing in the small, remote communities and public infrastructure? Mahsi cho.
Mr. Speaker, I totally agree that we need to focus on all schools in the Northwest Territories. We will continue to push where the priorities lie. I agree that we need to focus on the communities that we represent. Mahsi.
Mr. Speaker, I think another thing that the community of Trout Lake needs, in order to get on the capital plan, is a full assessment and needs of that community. Is the Minister willing to at least work towards that in this fiscal year in the operating and maintenance funding? Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, in the 2010-11 capital plan there has been funding that has been included to provide technical upgrades. We are just reporting program issues. It is a start for our department working with the community to address those space issues that Trout Lake is facing. We will be discussing further with the Member and also with the community DEA. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have always advised the Minister that the school in Trout Lake has never been replaced. They are currently existing in the community hall and the community has been promised by this government that they will replace the school. I look forward to the Minister to work with his Cabinet colleagues to make that a priority and make that dream come true for the community of Trout Lake. Mahsi cho.
Mr. Speaker, I too will continue to push for my colleagues on the pressing matters that are before us with the capital plan projects. Trout Lake, I am looking forward to the community visits. I definitely will be visiting the school and see the outcome of our discussion at that point and stage. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.
