Ottawa to fund programs, mental health services at La Loche high school: Trudeau
Red Deer AdvocateJan 24, 2019
It has been three years since the tragedy in
"There were immediate flowings of funds after the tragedy, but in terms of the right investments to build a resilient community … we needed to make sure we were getting it right," he said.
The money is to be spent at
Trudeau,
The prime minister later told about 100 people in the school gymnasium that the government needs to empower young people and continue investing in Indigenous communities. "We know that there's always more to do."
Moe announced provincial cash to build new housing for teachers and health-care staff. The province is to work with a construction company in
"We know much healing has taken place over the last three years and we know this is just the beginning of our journey," said Moe. "We are hopeful that this additional housing can assist the ongoing recruitment effort in
The government visit comes one day after the third anniversary of the shootings that left four people dead.
A student who was weeks away from his 18th birthday first shot teenage brothers Dayne and
Seven others were injured in the building as people ran to hide in classrooms and huddled under desks.
The shooter pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, second-degree murder and attempted murder and was sentenced last year as an adult to life in prison with no chance of parole for 10 years. Because he is appealing his sentence, he can't be named.
Renovations were made to the school and a grand reopening was held last week to mark the completion of construction on the front entrance, washrooms and a wellness area.
"It's going to enable us to put some pieces together and formalize a better plan for our community and a healing journey. It's integral in our plan and so I'm very happy."
He added that his mother was at the announcement and briefly held Trudeau's hand as he was leaving. She told the prime minister that she was disappointed he hadn't taken time to take questions from residents, said
The visit is Trudeau's seventh in
She noted that two years ago the community requested
"The announcement is far short of what the community is asking for," she said in a release. "It's a bit insulting for the Prime Minister to say his government is listening when the difference between what they're giving and what's been asked for is so large."