I have to ask the RCMP for the reasons. I'm sure they have some specific reasons for it. I do know that the age of special constables was a special time in the history of the RCMP when, out of necessity, they required the special services of aboriginal and northern people to assist them in their work policing the communities, under what they found to be very harsh and uncompromising conditions.

As the north moved into more settlement types of lifestyles with increasing demands by northern and aboriginal people to be treated on a more equitable basis, I think the RCMP decided that the special constable program should be phased out. There have been some moves to bring northern and aboriginal people into the RCMP with different training programs, but treating them very much as full and equal members within the force. That reflected more the needs and aspirations of people here in the north.