Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. I agree with the Member that this particular project is badly needed in Inuvik and her concern is also noted. I’ve already alerted her to our next step. It is, again, 90-plus students or children that will be in the facility. We may not own the building, but it is part of the empowerment. It is part of the partnership that we talk about partnership in this House even at the federal level. We don’t even own the dementia that’s in Yellowknife. It goes on and on, but we need to do this for the community of Inuvik.

The policy may not be just for ECE. It could be for overall GNWT. I need to talk to my Cabinet colleagues if we need to develop an overall policy. When it first came down it was more specifically geared toward ECE, so we are talking about, okay, it will be part of the Early Childhood Development Framework. That policy will be reflecting on that, and I will be sharing that with my Cabinet colleagues as we move forward to develop, if it’s going to be an overall GNWT policy per se.

With respect to the various infrastructures that the Member indicated, there are plans in place, as well, with J.H. Sissons. My department is working with the school district. We’re in the process of completing an education plan and also a planning study. We have to do this before a major infrastructure renovation could happen. It is beginning in November 2012. I can share this information with the Members as well. Following that will be the planning study that will be scheduled for completion in fall of 2013.

Mildred Hall is another area that we’ve done some major renovations. Some of the outstanding work has been identified through the capital needs assessment, and also includes renovation of the gymnasium and upgrading of the exterior walls and windows. That’s an area that has been worked on, as well, and my department will bring the project forward for consideration during the 2014-2015 capital planning process. It may not show on here but we are moving forward on those matters.

The college stand-alone, we’ve extended our lease for three years and potentially five years. It all depends on our consultation with PWS and my department with a potential investor or contractor organization that we’ve been in touch with on how it’s going to look. We are discussing those matters. It may not show up on this year’s capital planning process, but we are discussing it seriously. My counterpart Mr. Glen Abernethy and myself have been in discussion on this and working with various private sectors as we move forward. Definitely, we would like to see something down the road within a short period.

Just a couple of comments to the Minister. I do believe that the Dementia Centre is owned by the government. There was a great deal of consternation when that happened, so I’m pretty sure that it’s owned by the government.

With regard to Mildred Hall and J.H. Sissons not appearing in the capital plan, the budget document that’s been tabled doesn’t show future years, but I’m very pleased to hear the Minister say that Mildred Hall and J.H. Sissons will be in ’14-15, because that’s not the information that we were given at committee. I’m very glad to hear the Minister say that on record, because now we can amend those other documents, hopefully.

I don’t have any other questions, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to make those comments. Thank you.

I’ll take those as comments. Would the Minister care to reply to those?

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. When I referred to the ’14-15 capital planning process, that’s for Mildred Hall. The other one is still in the planning stages with a study and also an education plan. We will be taking forward those plans, once it’s completed, for the capital planning process.

Thank you, Minister Lafferty, for clarification. Next on my list I have Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to, of course, continue my dialogue and actually ask a library question, as well, in my dialogue about replacing the school in Trout Lake. I know that government, we do have a 20-year needs assessment, so maybe I can ask the Minister if he can show me that list and show me where the Trout Lake school is on the 20-year needs assessment, and maybe we can start that dialogue there and if he can make a commitment that we can meet sometime this week to look at exactly where the Trout Lake school is on the capital needs assessment.

We had a good debate in the House here today. I don’t have to go on at length about the needs of the community of Trout Lake and some of the

reasoning that they have given me, which I have spoken about. I know that the department has their own assessment of the school in Trout Lake. But I think, overall, the point I’ve been trying to make, it’s a classroom in the community hall and it’s not a replacement school, which was promised to the community of Trout Lake many, many years ago. If the Minister could provide that information, like I said, I would be happy to meet with him at another point in time.

Changing the topic just briefly, it was about trying to get the library issue addressed, as well, in the community of Fort Simpson. I know that I haven’t had an opportunity for an update in Fort Simpson, but the needs are still there for a stand-alone library as well. I’d like to work towards it. I know that we’ve got some money in the capital budget but it’s meant for minor repairs and replacement and things like that, but I’d certainly like to continue to pursue the library needs in Fort Simpson.

Speaking about the library budget, I know that in our capital substantiation there seems to be a year skipped. There’s money put aside this year for ’13-14. It seems to be absent. I just thought I’d double check that. We’re skipping a year, so we’re getting funding for this coming fiscal year. The following one there’s no money in the budget, and then the third year we’re getting a contribution for the library. I’m just curious why that is there, Mr. Chair. Thanks.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Minister Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. We did have a lively debate earlier on Trout Lake, and I do understand where the Member’s coming from and I’m seriously looking into this, as well, with my department. I’ve already indicated to my deputy that there are certain schools that we may have to seriously look at. There’s been an increase in enrolment. History shows us that the enrolment has been increasing, so that’s an area that we can definitely look at and start planning, conduct a planning process for the Charles Tetcho School in Trout Lake. I will be committing to working with the Members and also the standing committee to make this part of the priority for this government, as well, along with other schools in the Northwest Territories.

The 20-year plan, unfortunately, is not general public information so I won’t be able to share that information at this point. Again, I’m committed to working with the Members on the school itself.

With respect to the community library, in the past we’ve worked with the town council to try and identify a location. It’s been a struggle. It’s been a challenge. But at the same time, I’m of the opinion that we need to discuss that further and again open up our discussion. I understand there are some new council members as well. We will be going to

the community of Nahendeh and we will be visiting Fort Simpson. I’d like for my team to look into the library area again, because I have my new deputy as well. She will be visiting all or most of the communities. I’m making a commitment to the Member that I will be visiting and we can discuss it further from there.

I’m pleased that the Minister is taking these concerns very seriously, and I certainly look forward to travelling with him in my riding in the future. With that, I have no further questions.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Moving on with questions, I have the Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In this particular case, I’d like to thank Member Bisaro for asking the questions I was going to pursue, but I’m not going to necessarily let them slide without getting some clear emphasis on that.

The Minister did make a commitment. Now I’m trying to understand what the commitment was for both Mildred Hall and Sissons. This Minister has a horrible history of saying we do discussions and we have to have meetings, but there always seems to be a lack of detail about commitment on that. So maybe the Minister could elaborate on what Members can expect coming into the next fiscal budget year calendar and what it means. Quite often I’ll hear we’re working on that, we’re talking on that. With all due respect, it means nothing to anybody.

I’d like to know in this House today, right now, what does he mean by there will be a commitment in the 2014-15 budget to help address the problems both at Mildred Hall and Sissons schools.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Minister Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. If we don’t talk, nothing happens. So that’s where we are.

With respect to the J.H. Sissons and also Mildred Hall, I’ve already answered that question. We are planning with the school district, for J.H. Sissons, an education plan and planning study. There is a timeline schedule; November 2012 is when it’s going to begin, the education plan. Also 2013, in the fall, the planning study is to be completed. From there we will be putting forward for the next capital planning project at that time to be considered by this government.

With respect to Mildred Hall, again I indicated 2014-2015, that’s when we’re going to bring forward a submission. So I’m not sure how clear I can be, Mr. Chair, but that is part of the plan. Mahsi.

That’s not what he said to Member Bisaro. Member Bisaro just confirmed that with me. Unless we’re hearing something different

through these ear pieces, I’m not sure what language they’re speaking over there. I know he spoke English because I did recognize a few words.

What I’m looking for to make sure we’re all on the same page is a page of information that the Minister can provide to both me and other Members, whether all Regular Members, that’s fine. It doesn’t matter to me. I certainly know Ms. Bisaro and Mr. Bromley, as well as probably you, Mr. Chair, would be interested in this particular information as to what exactly they will be committing.

I am glad to hear, although reluctant, but glad to hear there’s a planning study that would be starting in November 2012. That’s the most I’ve ever heard out of asking this type of a question for years. At least that’s something.

As far as Mildred Hall goes, I have to admit I didn’t really hear what was coming forward. Mildred Hall already had a plan as to what capital needs they had. I know they approached the former DM on a number of occasions through the school board to get the renovations that had been left out of the last retrofit it had back in 2003 and 2004, in that era. They are still waiting for completion. I’m starting to feel like a resident of Trout Lake. You get promised something and, of course, they walk away from their promise.

So I can tell you that school and school board are quite frustrated by the lack of attention Mildred Hall has received on finishing its agreed upon renovations. So maybe the Minister can talk in detail about what we can expect for the 2014-15 budget year that will specifically target the needs of Mildred Hall. Thank you.

The department will bring forward the project for Mildred Hall for consideration during the 2014-2015 capital planning process. The outstanding work that’s been in play with the previous major renovation that was undertaken, some of the work hasn’t been completed. So those are some of the areas that could be identified through this capital planning process. I will get my director, Mr. Devitt, to elaborate more on the technicality of the process. Mahsi.

Thank you, Minister Lafferty. Mr. Devitt.

Thank you, Mr. Devitt. Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just to make sure we’re all on the same page, what does the Department of Education view as deficiencies at the Mildred Hall School that’s been left over since the 2003-2004 half renovation?

At least we got the gym on the agenda here for discussion. As I understood it, there was roofing as well as window replacements that needed to still be done, as well as some areas of flooring, if I understand correctly. Does that jog anyone’s memory from the department? Thank you.

YK1 has, for a number of years, been requesting the completion of the renovation and upgrade of that older building. I’m glad it was put on record. That the 1964/5 wing – I couldn’t remember what year it was – but it was part of that old design. How much has been the requested submission through the YK1 board to finish and complete the renovation project that had started? I thought it was in the range of $1.5 million. Maybe someone can clarify the request that’s been outstanding probably for the best part of eight years. Thank you.