Official Languages Committee on Feb. 7th, 2011

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

So, you will also have to expand.

[Isabelle St-Gelais]

Yes, we would really like to expand.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Are you working directly with the Yukon government? Is the federal government involved in any way? The agreements are not the same with the provinces; it's different.

[Martin Guilbeault, Chairman of the Board, Garderie du petit cheval blanc, Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon]

I don't really know how--

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

How it's managed?

[Martin Guilbeault]

Yes.

[Isabelle St-Gelais]

For the time being, we--

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Where do your revenues come from?

[Isabelle St-Gelais]

They come from the government. Child Care Services also helps us.

You'll have to excuse me. I've only just begun to work in this area.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

I understand; I'm just trying to gather as much information as possible.

[Lorraine Taillefer, Executive Director, Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon]

If you don't mind, I have an answer with respect to construction of the day care centre.

When the Émilie-Tremblay School was built, a budget was allocated for the construction of a day care centre.

[Isabelle St-Gelais]

We do work cooperatively.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Yes, because they're the same children.

[Isabelle St-Gelais]

These same children will be entering school as well. There are a lot of children who speak French. It's the same thing for the parents.

So, there is a need. Our facilities are full for the time being.

[Martin Guilbeault]

We are now in a position where we have to refuse rights holders.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

That's what I wanted to know. Do you refuse a lot of children?

[Isabelle St-Gelais]

We are starting to. For example, we are already full for September.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

That is also a concern, Mr. Chairman, because education starts in day care and continues at school.

In any case, I want you to know you have my support. We'll see what happens.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

And what does your expansion project involve? How many spaces do you hope to add to your day care centre?

[Isabelle St-Gelais]

We would like to have at least two or three… We are currently working to determine exactly what the needs will be over the next five years. From what we can tell, we would need at least three separate areas at this time.

We're also looking at what to do about the kitchen. For now, using the kitchen is out of the question; it's too small. The children bring their own lunch.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

How many separate spaces do you have now?

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Mr. Chairman, you are using my speaking time.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Yes, but we can share it.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

No, I never decided to share with you. You will have an opportunity to speak after me; that's normal.

[Isabelle St-Gelais]

There are seven.