Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have an emergency statement.
Mr. Speaker, by now, most Members of the Assembly will have heard about the fire that destroyed four portable classrooms in Fort McPherson over the weekend. I would like to take this opportunity to bring Members up to date on the situation.
The fire started yesterday in the media resource centre, which was being used as temporary classroom space for students in Grades 7 to 9. I am happy to report that there were no injuries in the fire. However, the entire structure and all contents were lost. The Department of Finance will be sending an adjuster from the Risk Management Division into Fort McPherson to gather information.
Grade 7 to 9 students will not be attending class today. A representative of the Beaufort-Delta Divisional Education Council is travelling to the community today and a meeting will be held this afternoon to decide how to accommodate the students in the short term. The new school should be ready in about six weeks. The cause of the fire is unknown. The Department of Public Works and Services will issue a tender to remove the debris. The department anticipates the site will be cleaned up over the weekend.
I would like to express my regret that the students, school staff and people of Fort McPherson must deal with the loss of another school building, just a year after the Chief Julius School burned down. The members and staff of the Beaufort-Delta Divisional Education Council have handled the loss of the previous school, and the building of the new school, in a coordinated and professional manner. I have great confidence in the Council's ability to handle the current situation, in a way that causes the least possible disruption to the students and their teachers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.