Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yesterday afternoon, the Honourable Silas Arngna'naaq, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, his officials and I travelled to Fort Providence to celebrate the official turnover of the Fort Providence water treatment plant.

Madam Speaker, the idea of this water treatment plant began back in 1982 by the previous Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Gordon Wray. This was the time when the government considered the piped water and sewage facility in core communities a priority. However, since the inception of the idea, the project has undergone some rough spots, with changes of Ministers and the fiscal restraints this government had to go through during the process.

After several years of delay the plant officially began operating in January 1993 and celebrated the official opening on February 17, 1993. The official transfer of this facility from the government to the hamlet of Fort Providence occurred yesterday. I was proud to witnesses this event, along with invited guests, as this was the fruit of long labour which I had to endure.

The facility included the truck fill station and a water storage, as well as the treatment facility. The facility treats water from the Mackenzie River in order to meet the guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality established by Health and Welfare Canada. The truck fill rate has also been increased to meet fire protection requirements. Madam Speaker, the plant has been designed to meet the projected 20 year water demand of the community.

As I stated during this ceremony yesterday, it is difficult to travel to communities during session due to the demands on Members of the Legislative Assembly, like myself and the Minister. I believe the Minister would agree that it was a worthwhile trip because by being there we were able to give special recognition to the hard work done by the hamlet and many residents in the community.

In return I would like to recognize and thank successive Ministers of Municipal and Community Affairs, from Gordon Wray to the present Municipal and Community Affairs Minister, the Honourable Silas Arngna'naaq, for starting and concluding the project and for...