Puffball of the Week: David Xiao Promotes Public-Private Partnerships (April 21)
Mr. Xiao: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In 2008 this government announced plans that it would build six new schools in the Edmonton region and that two of them would be built in my constituency of Edmonton-McClung.
One is a K to 9 Catholic school, Sister Annata. I’m happy to report that this school is under construction and will be open for business this fall. Another one is the K to 9 public school in the Grange area. My question is for the hon. Minister of Infrastructure. Can the minister assure my constituents that this Grange school is still on track?
The Speaker: The hon. minister.
Mr. Danyluk: Well, thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. In fact, the 18 schools being built under the Alberta schools alternative procurement program are on track. They are being built two years ahead of schedule. We will turn over those schools by June 30. One of the schools that was started two years ago in the hon. member’s constituency is one of those schools. In September these schools will serve over 12,000 students.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Mr. Xiao: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In 2008 the minister announced they would build 18 schools through the ASAP initiative, which is the Alberta schools alternative procurement program. I would like to ask the minister: is this process quicker than a traditional process, and has this lived up to this claim?
Mr. Danyluk: Well, Mr. Speaker, as I said, yes, it is. In fact, it’s two years ahead of schedule. Students in the ASAP 1 will be in their classrooms September 30. We’re expecting the same with ASAP 2, and he has one of these schools. Yes, it is faster; yes, ASAP 1 saved $97 million. Stay tuned for the announcement of the next go-round.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Mr. Xiao: Yes. My final question is to the same minister. Can you tell me the specific date when the Grange school is going to be built?
Mr. Danyluk: Well, Mr. Speaker, first of all, I need to say that we go through a very stringent evaluation of the school projects. That announcement is going to happen I believe tomorrow. I’m hoping that with the speed of the first go-round – it took two years shorter – the same thing will happen with this one. It is a good program. It is a good directive to keep our students very much educated.
Alberta Hansard, April 21, 2010