Yes, I do, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses to the Chamber. Minister, please introduce your witnesses for the record.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. On my right I have my deputy minister Ms. Sylvia Haener. On my left, assistant deputy minister, corporate services, Mr. Olin Lovely.

Thank you. I will open up the floor to general comments from the committee, keeping in mind that there are two activities that comments can also be made on. General comments on the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. I see none. I see Mr. Thompson. General comments?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to thank the department and the government for actually moving on junior kindergarten upgrades to this coming fiscal year. I think it's very smart on the department's behalf, and I greatly thank them for listening to our concerns. Again, it's about safety for our youth, and I know the department and the Minister have been very committed to that, so I appreciate the fact that we're moving these capital projects forward. That will be my comments, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. I'll allow the Minister a response, if he would like. Minister.

I just appreciate the Member's comments. As a department, moving forward on these junior kindergarten upgrades and renovations is definitely in the best interest of having a safe school environment. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. We'll move on to the activity detail on page 12, early childhood and schools. There is an information item on page 13. Comments or questions? Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Can anyone from the department tell me whether any of the work on schools has been pushed back? Is all of this still on its original schedule? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. All projects are still a go except Mangilaluk School, which has been deferred for one year.

Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks to the Minister for that. Earlier in my opening comments I expressed some concern about whether we were delaying various projects to come up with the capital for the large infrastructure project that is in the budget. I still remain concerned about that. I do want to thank the Minister, though, for moving forward. The JK capital implementation costs, I think that was a good move. I have similar sentiments from my colleague here from Nahendeh, so I want to thank the Minister for doing that because it saved me from having to deliver a barn burner of a speech. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Would the Minister like to comment?

No, I just appreciate the comments. Thank you.

Thank you. Anything further, Mr. O'Reilly?

No. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask the Minister if the Lutselk'e Dene school renovation is on schedule to be completed this fall. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. Minister.

Phase 2 of the school will be done next year. Just to give the Member a little heads up, we are continuing to meet with the community, and the school and the staff, just to make sure that they are up to date on how progress is moving, as well as some of the concerns that were brought up last year. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I had talked to a high school student from Lutselk'e, and I asked him why he was in town this time of the year, why he was in Yellowknife. He said "because we have no school." I am wondering what the situation with, I understand this is not purely a capital item, but Mr. Chair, bear with me, I am trying to determine when it would be done, or even if that is the case, that there is no actual high school operating this season. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Minister.