Thank you, Madam Speaker, honourable colleagues. Madam Speaker, recently I brought forward the needs and requests of the residents of Umingmaktok and Bathurst Inlet: the need to establish community freezers; and, the need to address housing issues. These needs have been recognized by the GNWT and I hope will be addressed in the immediate future.

Madam Speaker, although there are approximately 60 and 22 residents of Umingmaktok and Bathurst Inlet, as compared to approximately 1,100 in Cambridge Bay and Coppermine, I don't treat their needs any differently. In fact, I may have even worked more diligently towards the needs of the smaller communities. I am disappointed in that I don't believe the government has made any serious effort in attempting to allow these communities eligibility under the Canada/NWT infrastructure agreement. Eligibility under this agreement could have addressed the housing or community freezer needs.

Our government currently supports and services both Umingmaktok and Bathurst Inlet whether they recognize them or not. The residents of these two communities may not be represented by a council, but their needs are no different than those of other NWT residents.

Madam Speaker, I ask the government to reconsider their decision and make some serious efforts towards allowing Umingmaktok and Bathurst Inlet eligibility under the Canada/NWT infrastructure agreement to meet some of the needs of their residents. Thank you.

---Applause