Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I ask this Assembly, what is an elementary, junior, senior high student's life worth? Well, Mr. Speaker, the South Slave Divisional Education Council answered that question and put that value at $70,000. It is that number that forced the Hay River District Education Council to make the decision to suspend all bussing services for all schools in Hay River for the 2021-2022 school year.

This government expects students to attend school. For those that come from affluent families, it may not be a challenge. But for many in Hay River, it will require a...

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 20212022 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...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There's been a number of organizations raising money for the victims of the flooding. I think we've had Red Cross and United Way and individuals as well through GoFundMe pages.

Has the Minister been in contact with any of these groups or individuals to confirm, you know, how much money has been raised and how it will be dispersed and just to coordinate with what her department's doing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister confirm how much money her department has set aside or identified to assist immediately with financial support to the victims that are in dire need of it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I ask that you bear with me. Mr. Speaker, current legislations limits the Minister only direct the South Slave Divisional Education Council. There is no requirement for the South Slave Divisional Education Council to provide bussing or to follow any direction coming from the department, which is very evident by their refusal to fund the bussing shortfall in Hay River when they were sitting on the $3.3 million surplus at the end of 2020. Mr. Speaker, I ask the Minister if he will meet with the South Slave Divisional Education Council and the Hay River District...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, current legislation states that an education body may provide transportations to students for them to have access to the education programming. It is interesting that this government is pushing to have student grades comparable to the rest of Canada at the same time allowing barriers to exist that removes the child's access to learning. I would ask the Minister if he is prepared to have his department review the legislation and propose a change that would make bussing mandatory and fully funded in communities such as Hay River where the commute becomes a...

Mr. Speaker, it is essential that the Hay River District Education Authority, South Slave Divisional Education Council, and Department of Education come up with a solution to ensure bussing is available at no cost to students in Hay River. The distance students must travel remains the same and that reality must be taken into account when addressing funding for bussing.

Mr. Speaker, if the South Slave Divisional Education Council is not willing to step up, then I would suggest they step down or be removed by the Minister of Education. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

This government and the federal government had no problem rolling out financial support at the start of the pandemic. I expect that the same consideration for those victims impacted by the flooding. The reality is that events like this will quickly deplete one's own financial resources and leave many with nowhere to turn. It's up to this government to fill that gap.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask the Minister to confirm if her department is working with the Department of Education and the Department of Finance to look at providing individuals and families...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the potential for spring flooding for communities situated along our rivers is a reality. For the community of Hay River, it is an annual event that must be prepared for.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize and thank the Town of Hay River, mayor and council, staff, along with the Hay River Community Emergency Management Committee and volunteers for the great work they did to plan, coordinate, and carry out activities to respond to potential spring flooding. The committee, under the supervision of Ross Potter, Director of Protective Services, makes...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, our government is touting the Disaster Assistant Program, which is not all that it appears to be. It has severe limitations with respect to the amount of compensation for damages. It is really a payor of last resort. It is not clear on how payments or reimbursements are to be made. There's no timeline for the payment or reimbursement. And all this can be confusing to someone who is traumatized and just looking to survive.

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister commit to employing and making program navigators accessible to those affected...