The Honourable Barry Petten, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, today provided an update on the ongoing situation in Cartwright, following the recent cancellation of the contract announced in 2025 for the new K-12 school. The cancellation was the result of significant risks related to cost escalation, delays, design issues and site conditions.

At the time of the cancellation on June 3, the Provincial Government announced that it remained dedicated to finding a more cost-effective solution for a new school in the town. Continuing with the existing contract would have resulted in substantial cost overruns and delays exceeding 12 months, with recent cost projections indicating it could be closer to $50 million by the time the project was completed, an exorbitant cost for a small student population and not a responsible use of public funds. The commitment was made that the project would be re-scoped and a more feasible option such as modular school construction, in which the sections of the building are manufactured off site and then transported to the site for assembly, would be considered – an approach well suited for northern climates.

Despite making this commitment, residents of the Town of Cartwright have refused to let the contractor back on the site so that the area can be fully returned to a safe and secure state. Representatives from the town and the local school council have indicated that full access to the government-owned property will continue to be refused until they meet with the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and they are presented with a clear plan for a new school. Infrastructure planning for a new project is a multi‑step process that cannot be completed in short order. Thorough design work, careful review of options, and detailed assessment of impacts must take place to ensure the final plan is safe, cost‑effective and sustainable.

When the cancellation of the current contract was announced, residents and officials from the community expressed their concerns over the site being safe following the limited construction that had taken place. In an effort to ensure the site is safe, the contractor will finish securing the site and depart.

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“While I had to make the difficult decision to cancel the contract that had been awarded for a new school in Cartwright, I have never wavered from the commitment to find an alternate solution for a school for the town that is more cost effective for such a small school community. It is very unfortunate that community members have impeded the infilling of the site, as that would be the optimal outcome for the safety of children who may access the property. We want to ensure the site is safe and get the location prepared for a new school that will eventually be put there.”
Honourable Barry Petten
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

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