Frederick Blake Jr.

Mr. Speaker, that's why I'm asking to do the planning study now, rather than wait till, you know, when we're panicking here. But, Mr. Speaker, will the Minister and the department, you know, start planning ahead and put this into the next bundle for the Building Canada Fund.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister: what is the plan for the department if this vessel didn't meet the criteria for the Coast Guard?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you know with the overhaul of the hull, the engines, all the work that has been done to the engines, I believe it's up for replacement myself; it has over 25,000 hours as I've been told. That's almost $2 million there that could have been put towards a new vessel.

We have to start planning out how our spending or maintaining our equipment rather than replacing. I know a lot of that work has been done to a lot of our buildings, but, you know, we have to start planning properly here. Will the Minister ensure that a planning study has been taken on the Louis...

Mr. Speaker, what is the average estimated cost of a ferry vessel replacement?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Earning your driver's licence is a milestone for young people and a stepping stone to many skilled jobs, but highways, Mr. Speaker, are not the only way to get around. Strong and comprehensive transportation capacity liberates and empowers communities and individuals. For example:

operating four-wheelers and snowmobiles helps us access the land and our traditional practices;

barges bring essential supplies into our communities;

ferries like the Louis Cardinal, which makes stops at three landing sites, connect communities to each other for...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My next question is on learning centres, similar to Mr. Beaulieu. You know, in Fort McPherson, a good example. Our learning centre is in the same school as our high school, junior high and, you know, even JK. You know, I think that as adults it should be in a separate facility; it's like that in many other communities, a separate place from high school and that. Hopefully, the department can look at having a different facility in the community. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a couple questions here for the Minister. As he mentioned with the JK funding, I'm not sure if the Minister had an opportunity yet to visit the school in Tsiigehtchic, but you know at times we have junior kindergarten, kindergarten, grade one and two in the same classroom, so that just tells you the need that's in the community.

It's very difficult, as you can imagine, to teach four grades in one classroom. At times there is a partition there but it just goes to show the added stress that this puts on the teachers. I'm not sure if Tsiigehtchic is one of those...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a couple questions here on the probation office security tenant improvement to Fort McPherson. You know, it's good to see we're doing upgrades to a new lease area of the probation officer, but I know the community is looking into possibly building a new facility. If the community was to do that, would the department be flexible to upgrade to that unit? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister just said that the Merv Hardie is the backup plan, yet to get it ready to operate, it'll cost $1.5 million. Why would we spend that $1.5 million rather than investing that into a new vessel?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a little follow-up to my questions I asked earlier. You know, as I mentioned the Louis Cardinal, it's pretty clear that the vessel has had its time in the waters; it's time to replace this unit, you know, before we have any incidents. We always have to try to avoid these. Always prepare and make sure we have the proper infrastructure. Will the Minister at least commit to doing a planning study to be prepared in case we do have to replace the unit? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.