Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to speak about the current closing of the Deh Cho Hall in Fort Simpson. This building will soon be decommissioned. Government offices have been relocated to a new building. The last remaining tenant is the John Tetso Memorial Library and they have yet to find a new home.
This is cause of concern among community residents. The library is an important part of the community that provides a range of popular programs and services that promote literacy and ensures the community members have access to quality reading materials and information sources that would otherwise be unavailable.
I believe the government has the responsibility to assist the community in finding a new space for our library. We need a long-term solution to ensure that the library has a permanent home. One solution may be to renovate and expand the school library to accommodate public access. This has been done successfully in other NWT communities. This approach makes use of existing resources and encourages broader partnerships in the delivery of community services.
Reading and access to information is at the foundation of northern growth and development. Libraries play an essential role in supporting people of all ages to build their skills and knowledge. I urge the Minister responsible to work with the community to find a permanent home for this important part of our community.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
