(Translation) Mr. Chairman, I am sure everyone can understand this issue. I was told that this idea has been in place for quite some time now. However, we, the MLAs, who have people to represent, should be involved when important policies such as this are being implemented. Until now, we have had very little involvement. You indicated that this idea has been around for a long time now and you said they would be in effect within 90 days. This is probably a new idea to some communities.

Once this water and sewer services policy is amended, it seems to me that many communities are in agreement, but as representatives of the people here in the House, we haven't really received any feedback from the people. We don't know if they agree or disagree. Because of that, when this is going to be implemented almost immediately, I would first want full consultation with the communities, especially from the regions that I represent, because it will be affecting them in a huge way.

How much time have you given as notice? Have you received quite a response from the communities that you have been in touch with? It is hard to tell, at this time, what they think of this policy amendment. I am aware that the majority of the hamlets will probably support the policy amendment concerning the community services and the slight increase for the villages and the towns. There should be more input and public information being made available before this becomes implemented as a policy. There are many different communities that will have different opinions, but we seem to have given too short a notice to our communities. In the end, it will be us who have to do the explaining.

If you want to amend this policy, it is important that we know about it well in advance so we can inform people in our ridings. They, in turn, will be looking at us for some answers. They will be keeping abreast of the developments on this amendment. Mr. Chairman, this is more of a comment. I would want this better publicized and more consultation with the communities because it is going to have a huge impact on those communities. I am not just trying to disagree with the policy amendments, but I think consultation with the public is very important. I am sure people will have an opinion if it involves any increasing of rates. This was more of a comment rather than a question. I will stop there. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.