Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Sometimes you have to challenge government; sometimes you have to commend them, so that’s what I’m going to do today.
On September 15, 2015, I had the honour to celebrate the opening of the newly built John Tsetso Memorial Library in Fort Simpson. It was my
pleasure to join the Honourable Jackson Lafferty, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment; Dehcho First Nations Grand Chief Herb Norwegian; Liidlii Kue Chief Gerry Antoine; Mayor Sean Whelly and the residents of Fort Simpson to celebrate this long awaited and very special event.
A library is the heart of a community. It is a place where our children can nourish their imaginations and learn important life skills while having fun. The John Tsetso Memorial Library has been an important part of Fort Simpson for many, many years, providing a range of popular programs and services promoting literacy.
Mr. Speaker, as you and my colleagues in this House are well aware, I have expressed my concerns many times over the years about the condition of the library. Since the closure of the Deh Cho Hall in about 2004/2005, the library has struggled to manage its collection and meet the community’s need in a less than ideal space. Now, in addition to the new space, the library has expanded its collection, added iPads with a digital language app loaded on them, DVDs and new furniture for the patrons.
It took a long time
– over eight years – and a great
deal of urging to get the funding for the new library facility in the GNWT’s capital budget process. I would like to thank my colleagues for their support, who toured the small resource centre some seven years ago during the 16th Assembly. I also wanted
to thank the Minister for his contribution to this important project and thank the Village of Fort Simpson for their involvement in the management of the project.
The new John Tsetso Memorial Library has room for an expanded collection, better spacing for library programming, public access computers, iPads and an awesome northern collection of books by NWT authors and about local history in the Fort Simpson area.
I am excited for the people of Fort Simpson, the Aboriginal users who will benefit from this new facility. I also want to encourage people to get out, renew their library cards and use this wonderful resource. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.