Debates of August 15, 2007 (day 10)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker…(English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, the original plan of the Gameti school extension involved the community, the elders, the youth; most importantly, the past elders and respected Tlicho leadership. The community leadership are begging to stick to the original plans. So, Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister explain why his department is calling for a redesign of the school project in Gameti when the higher costs are due to the marketplace, not the school design? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 119-15(6): Gameti School Addition

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the original budget for this project, Education, Culture and Employment had $2.8 million. In order to complete the project on the prices received, we would have had to seek an extra $3.8 million; so more than the actual cost in the budget. As Members in this House will know, it’s a challenge at any time to find additional money for projects and that project was, unfortunately, one of those ones that we couldn’t find the extra money for in this year’s plan. The problem we’re really facing, though, is that this project is coming in, Mr. Speaker, more than $2,000 a square metre higher than any of the other projects that we’re looking at in this current year in construction and we’re concerned that if we accept a bid at that price, it sets the standard for future ones and this government can’t afford to be building schools at that price. So we’re hoping that, although the Member doesn’t believe that we’ll find some savings, we’re hoping that a redesign might find some savings to bring the price down.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 119-15(6): Gameti School Addition

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to focus on the need of the community; the community of Gameti. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister tell these Members here around the table why he and his department believe that the people of Gameti do not want the same educational and recreation programs for their children that he and other Yellowknife Members take for granted for their children here in Yellowknife and other major centres? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 119-15(6): Gameti School Addition

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are committed to making sure that we offer good educational programs in all communities in the Northwest Territories. This government, as the Premier noted in his sessional statement today, has a pretty good record in making sure that we are putting a lot of money into education. Mr. Speaker, we are, though, going to have to take a look at designs of all of our schools, given the prices that we’re seeing them come in at. I want to make it very clear, Mr. Speaker, that in communities across the Northwest Territories, very many communities, we are using portables to provide schooling and they are providing very adequate service. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 119-15(6): Gameti School Addition

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the portable is just a quick fix-up and we certainly want a long-term solution here. Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister. Will the Minister tell the Members why extraordinary funding was found by this government to go ahead with the construction of the school in Tulita when the project was millions of dollars over budget and the Minister will not do the same for the Gameti school? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 119-15(6): Gameti School Addition

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said in the answer to the first question, there’s a difference of $2,000 a square metre between the project the Member just mentioned and the cost we’re being asked for the school in Gameti. We, at this point, are struggling with that difference and can’t understand why we’re being faced with that, and that’s one of the reasons we want to go back and ask Public Works to work with the architects to look at a redesign. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Final supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 119-15(6): Gameti School Addition

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my final question to the Minister, with respect, we have to respect our elders’ wish to have an addition to our school with a gymnasium for our children to have a healthy lifestyle and wellness in the community. So my final question to the Minister: Will the Minister do the right thing and add and support a third option to his briefing note where the GNWT will find the money to go forward with this project on this year’s winter road, 2007-08, and build the school addition and gymnasium as planned with the original plan? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 119-15(6): Gameti School Addition

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the next period of time, I can commit to the Member and the residents of Gameti that this government will explore all options. If there is any way possible that we can meet the community’s desire and still get the construction done or the materials in over this year’s winter road, we will work to achieve that. Thank you.