Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to say on the record that I support the long-term vision of an independent college/university established here in the Northwest Territories and hopefully that the independence, what I’m referring to is a Yellowknife Campus. Mr. Chairman, I’m a little cautious that we would have a mass exodus out of the Northern United building, which at present the college in Yellowknife is located. I would caution, you know, both the department or any Member suggesting that we should jump out of that, only because we have to keep in mind what we’re doing. In that particular facility, the Northern United building, the college provides itself as an anchor tenant to that building that may be difficult to replace. Now, in most cases, most people wouldn’t care if the government is an anchor tenant or not, they think move ahead, but it’s what that anchor tenant does that is very important.

The territorial government represents a significant amount of income to that building that allows them, in turn, to provide low, cost-effective housing for people who otherwise couldn’t afford housing. In other words, the government, which pays a reasonable market fee, helps offset and allows that building to make sure that elders, whether they’re a new Canadian, whether they’re whatnot, have an ability to house…somewhere to live in a safe and secure environment and it’s very affordable. So I’d just be cautious that anyone would suggest the long-term vision should not include some type of tenancy in that building.

I’ve spoken to the board there and said that my long-term vision of the college is to migrate out of there, but yet, I would like to see it as an independent campus here in Yellowknife, and I think that’s the next phase for it. I’d be surprised if there were too many people in this city that didn’t think so.

But we cannot forget government’s social commitment and that building provides a lot of housing for people and it’s extremely affordable where it’s very difficult to find affordable housing if you’re a single person with some kids. As I said, if you’re a couple that are in your elderly years on an extreme fixed income, I mean, that becomes one of the most viable options for you, and that building does provide a safe home for a lot of people that otherwise would be extremely at risk. And furthermore, they’d probably be on maybe income support as a possible option to be able to get through. The government tenancy there also protects independent living by these types of people. It also being in my riding, I know it extremely well, and I can tell you right now that

there would be a lot of families put at risk if government did some brash move without, sort of, thinking.

I’ve always been a stalwart supporter of saying that the campus must evolve, and I think we’d be going backwards if we didn’t look forward. But, that said, the government still, I think, has a social commitment to what that facility does, or I should say, that building does. So we should be cautious and tread very lightly on any potential changes on that building and realize the full impact it will have in this community. I’m not sure government would be prepared for the changes and, certainly, the dynamics that would fall out of that and I’d be very concerned.

Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to make sure that that got on the record, because, again, I’m not against the college leaving. I’m certainly in support of that. But we have to make sure we have a plan that’s appropriate and that needs to be considered in this review. At least if it’s not the college’s problem, we should certainly make sure that the government understands that. Thank you.