Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have been advised that due to inadequate funding, bussing for Hay River students will not be available for the 2021-2022 school year.

Mr. Speaker, the community of Hay River extends from Paradise Valley to the West Channel, a distance in excess of 30 kilometres. It is unrealistic to expect students to walk to school. This becomes an issue of not only student safety but that of access to education. The Indigenous students, and students from lower income families, will be the most affected by the cancellation.

The Hay River District Education Authority has a bussing shortfall of approximately $70,000 annually. Over the last several years, the bussing shortfall for three schools has been made up by reducing much needed school programming and charging bussing fees. This has resulted in fewer students taking the bus, lower attendance, and some students having dropped out of school altogether.

Mr. Speaker, upon review of the 2019-2020 financial statements of the South Slave Divisional Education Council, it appears there was a surplus of $3.3 million ending that fiscal year. It is not clear why a surplus of that size exists and why it is not available to cover the bussing shortfall. It begs the question of where the South Slave Divisional Education Council priorities are when programs and services are expected to be reduced when such a large surplus exists.

Mr. Speaker, the South Slave Divisional Education Council's answer to the shortfall is that the department's funding formula is not adequate and that the Hay River District Education Authority should look to further watering down school programs and services. Mr. Speaker, that is no answer. It says nothing about the importance of attending school. It says nothing about the importance of education. It says nothing about the work, effort, dedication, and compassion of teachers in Hay River who have shed tears over this decision. What it does say is that our children's education is not as important as the bureaucracy that is unwilling to release some of the $3.3 million surplus.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted