The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. We did send off another letter to the federal Minister of Canadian Heritage in January, this last month, reminding them of the critical stages we’re at to expand the phase two of this particular school. Not only that, but we’re trying to expedite the process. As I highlighted earlier, gymnasiums and other additional administration and learning support and the building services area, that’s the phase two that we’re talking about. At the same time, we are waiting for them to give us the go-ahead.

When I said the discussion is ongoing, we are continuing the discussions with the federal government and at the same time are having an open communication dialogue with the French school and the superintendant that is actively involved in this area with my department.

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

I don’t believe I heard the Minister tell me what he thinks is required. I appreciate that

a letter has just recently been sent to Heritage Canada, but I am still looking to know what it is that we need to do. I have another question, though, on a bit of a different tack.

I’d like to know whether or not the Department of Education, Culture and Employment has facility standards for NWT schools and do we have facility standards that provide for a gymnasium in any school that the department builds.

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

In the past even the current stages, the schools are being built with gymnasiums usually built in the past through MACA in partnership and also with the community. There’s always been a partnership approach, because it does reflect on the recreation aspect of it. We continue to have those dialogues with the new schools as we move forward.

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thanks to the Minister for the answer, but it really didn’t get to my question. At one time there were facility standards for schools. There were things that were required such as certain classrooms of a certain size, open areas spaces of a certain size, office spaces of a certain size. I want to know whether we have facility standards now which require a gymnasium to be encompassed in the building plans for any new school.

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

With the specific plans of the school specs, we do go through with PWS and also other departments as required. But I can get back to the Member on the specific gymnasium that she’s referring to. Those are the discussions that we continue to have with other departments that are actively involved in this area.

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Final supplementary, Ms. Bisaro.

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I still didn’t hear that we have those standards. I’m presuming that we don’t. This expansion will provide gym space and I mentioned in my statement that I think there’s a need for the GNWT to show the feds that we’re committed to this project. I think that is also going to put pressure on the federal government and force them to be more supportive of the project than they are at the moment. I’d like to ask the Minister why the government, the GNWT, cannot commit our portion of the capital costs for this project in the 2011 budget. If we show our commitment I think the feds will produce the money that’s required, so why can’t we show the way?

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

I do believe we are committed to having the school expedited, the second phase. So that’s why we continue to pressure the federal government to sponsor us as they did in phase one. They provided the funding to the schools and we’re hoping that they’ll continue to do so. Those are the discussions that we continue

to have to put more pressure on the federal government. We’ll continue to do that.

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, throughout this session and in the previous session, as well, we did share the highlights of the graduation among the aboriginal groups or even the northern students. It has been very successful to date. Yes, we are currently dealing with a challenge on enrolment and absenteeism in the schools, but we are developing a plan of action to deal with those matters. I did highlight some of the key areas we’ve initiated with providing worthwhile investment into the school boards so they can deal with those enrolment and absenteeism challenges before us. There has been some progress being made since September until today, Mr. Speaker. So we are making progress in this area. Mahsi.

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Mr. Speaker, again, from the information that the Minister does have in the department, does the Minister agree that the more education a person has, the greater the potential a person has for employment and higher income?