Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker...(Translation not provided)
(Translation)...day care in Fort Smith was emphasized yesterday by my colleague from Range Lake.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday I received an e-mail from one of my constituents: a single parent attending the Aurora College in Fort Smith. Mr. Speaker, there are currently three of my constituents who are attending school in Fort Smith, and they have families. I am proud to say that these students are studying to become teachers, and that they are very concerned about the closure of the day care. This is a cause for concern.
I ask, Mr. Speaker, where these students will turn for the needed childcare service, after the closure of the day care on the 28th of October. There are three students that are in school and were there to help them but, Mr. Speaker, these are parents who are new to the college system. Why must we put the burden on them as they seek advanced learning?
Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment admitted in the House that the NWT needs a strategy to deal with infrastructure of more day care centres. When he talked about this strategy, he said while the solution involves community partnership, he will ensure that his department staff will be available for the communities, and to work with the community leaders on finding results. If these results are part of department's concern, why is the day care centre in Fort Smith -- one of our central communities serving our college students -- being permanently closed in 10 days?
We are here to help and serve the students in terms of the day care. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause