A Grade 11 social studies class from F.H. Collins visited the legislature this week to ask what the government is doing for Yukon youth.
Interim Liberal Leader Sandy Silver asked questions prepared by the students.
The students are concerned about the F.H. Collins reconstruction, said Silver.
“A letter written by the minister of education on March 19, 2013 claims, and I quote: ‘All of the core functions of a school will be located under one roof.’ The trades wing is important to teens at F.H. Collins to learn the skills that they will use in their future, but the trades wing will not be included under the same roof as the rest of the core functions at F.H. Collins. Therefore, does this government think that the educational value of trades for youth is insignificant and not considered a core function?
Education Minister Elaine Taylor responded that the government does consider trades a core function, but that the existing trades wing is still usable.
“To replace what we already have in terms of the actual facility that the member opposite referred to would have cost millions. We value this specific trades wing. It is incorporated as the overall plan going forward. We certainly view it as in great condition and we are going to take advantage of that with upgrades to the current facility.”
The government would prefer to invest in programming, she said.
The students also asked what the government is doing to support elite athletes and bring Internet costs down.
Taylor noted that the government spends $3.5 million annually supporting elite athletes, and Economic Development Minister Currie Dixon said that the government is exploring options to improve Internet access in the Yukon.