YELLOWKNIFE (December 13, 2013) – The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) has been in exploratory discussions with education partners on school utilizations in Hay River and Yellowknife since September.

“Providing the children and youth of the NWT with the best education possible continues to be a priority for this government,” said Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Jackson Lafferty. “Successfully meeting that commitment means working with all our partners to identify the right approaches to delivering high-quality educational opportunities to our children and youth that respect their needs and rights while making the best use of existing educational facilities and ensuring good management of taxpayer money.”

In June 2012, the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories ordered the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) to provide Commission scolaire francophone schools in Yellowknife and Hay River with sufficient space for classrooms, a gymnasium, science labs, and career and technology spaces for secondary students.  The order for construction has been stayed pending the appeal. The appeal is scheduled for March 2014. The order for interim measures prior to the expansion is being implemented.

As part of its initial work, the GNWT reached out to its education partners in Hay River and Yellowknife to discuss preliminary options that would meet the long-term needs of all students in their communities and in a manner consistent with the court order. During these exploratory discussions, the partners discussed GNWT proposals which could meet the requirements of the court order and use the existing schools more efficiently in both communities.  New construction, renovation, sharing arrangements and exchanging schools between Boards and Authorities comprised the focus of the discussions.

“As a father myself, I understand families must ensure their children have the best access to a full, quality education and that objective will not be compromised” said Minister Lafferty. Discussions have been very preliminary to date, and we are a long way from making any final decisions”.

For more information:

Jacqueline McKinnon
Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
Department of Education, Culture and Employment
P:  867.920.6222
E:  jacqueline_mckinnon@gov.nt.ca