Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wanted to ask a question to the Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, but he is not in the House, so I will ask another question for the Minister responsible for Social Services.
The Minister should be aware that the Fort Liard Band Council is interested in assuming administrative and managerial control of social assistance programs. This proposal was supported by the band council, the hamlet, and more recently, at the Deh Cho Tribal Council Meeting September 9 to 11.
Recognizing that the strong support exists for local management of social assistance, will the Minister indicate whether he is prepared to transfer responsibility for the administration of this program to the Fort Liard Dene Band?