Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The document that we are talking about, New Directions, I guess you all know my concerns about one particular part of the direction, but on the whole, on principle, I agree with decentralization, and some of the government positions should be moved to some of the communities. I totally agree with that. However, when I first heard about it, it was a surprise, because as an MLA I was not involved in the decision of what should go into communities. I think the communities that will be receiving some of these services and PYs are pleased with the announcement. However, there again it is a good surprise.

I want to know what the time frame would be to move some of these positions. Are we talking about immediately, one month, two months, the next fiscal year? I guess the question in everybody's mind is that we will be receiving some of these positions. My general comment is strictly that I think it is a good move on the government's part. Unfortunately, as a Members of the Legislative Assembly we were not involved in the decision, and we are expected to live with that decision. As I said, I was hoping to be given a fair opportunity to represent my constituency -- and one of the communities is Fort Simpson -- in a democratic and fair way, and I have been impeded. I will conclude my statement tomorrow.

In the community of Simpson, on the aircraft maintenance facility, we did not receive the document until the latter part of the last session. I was hoping to get the community to do it, and we did do it. It takes a little time, but I did have a meeting with the business community as well as the village representative, the band council and Metis representatives. We tried to approach this as a community development opportunity. I come here and find out that the decision is already made. I found it unfair in a way. I think the intentions of the government here are good, but things have to be done in a more democratic and fair way. I think we will all benefit from it if things like this are done in that manner, so we do not have situations where there are conflict and hard feelings. I always want to work with everybody, and with my background as a Dene, we have always worked in an environment where we respect each other's views and even though it is opposing, we listen. That is why I find it difficult sometimes to be in this environment and try to represent my people and try to get things done in a fair and democratic manner.

Once again, the principle of the transfer is good. If we could have more dialogue between the MLAs and the government in some of the key areas -- because it is a big decision to move some of the headquarters personnel into the communities; you are looking at long-range changes. Is this for a number of years, or for a trial period, or is it permanent? These are some of the questions floating around. I am trying to see how it is going to work.