Thank you. Mr. Chairman, I want to reiterate my standing committee on finance comment in regard to the budget for the Department of Education. I agree with all the points that were already made. Mr. Chairman, during the fall the Dogrib Divisional Board of Education, with support from the Department of Education, undertook to develop a regional high school in Rae-Edzo, but the cabinet, or FMB, refused to fund grade extensions. The divisional board and the Rae school society decided to go ahead on their own to implement the high school program, because of the expectations raised in the community among a large number of young people.
Grade Extensions And Retrofit At Chief Jimmy Bruneau School, Rae-Edzo
Mr. Chairman, the program has succeeded beyond all expectations as there are now 115 full-time students enrolled in the grade 10 program. The divisional board is requesting that the government recognize their responsibility to provide equal access to high school programs for the Dogrib people by funding grade extensions in the Chief Jimmy Bruneau School, particularly in 1992-93. Grade extensions, Mr. Chairman, for Chief Jimmy Bruneau School requires that the government fund a retrofit of the building and undertake a number of outstanding maintenance problems that we have with that facility. This is essential for the continued development and success of a high school program in the Dogrib area. The Dogrib divisional board has asked me to ensure that the Department of Education remains committed to the retrofit of this facility and not delay or remove it from their capital plan.
Mr. Chairman, the standing committee on finance recommended that we concentrate our funding efforts to the K to 12 facilities, and that we have cabinet live up to their prior commitments in education before proposing new initiatives. I agree with the comments that were made by Mr. Todd, our chairman of finance. Mr. Chairman, we know the problems that Yellowknife is encountering in terms of students enrolled here in the city. My region has been proposing grade extensions. They were trying to phase it in over the next three years so that we can have a grade 12 regional high school in Rae-Edzo. Some Members have indicated that may not be the best way to go, but in my view, Mr. Chairman, I believe that implementing this type of initiative is going to benefit my whole region and also alleviate some of the problems that the school boards are encountering here in the city of Yellowknife. My colleague from Nahendeh also expressed that same concern, and we are both supporting our divisional boards' requests.
Mr. Chairman, the divisional board also expressed some concern in regard to a gymnasium for the community of Snare Lake. I believe the Department of Education does not have in their capital plan plans to build a gymnasium for this particular community. This was raised in a letter to the Minister. The Minister responded by saying the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs also had a facility planned to go into that community. Mr. Chairman, I would like to request the Minister to co-ordinate between his department and the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs so that they can best utilize the funds. A gymnasium is required; it could be cost shored or one or the other could do it, as long as the community gets a gymnasium.
On the other issues, Mr. Chairman, in regard to prior commitments. I think my colleague from Thebacha has expressed that prior commitments should be adhered to, and I agree. Not only for this particular department but the government as a whole. Later on, when we get into details of the budget, I will be proposing two motions to this effect. Mahsi cho.