Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Economic Development and Tourism has been working with the communities of Rae Lakes, Wha Ti and Snare Lake to solve the problem of an economic development officer and how they will man that position in those communities. They have talked to the three communities, they have consulted with the three communities. The communities have agreed to share that position. The only thing the communities have not agreed to was how to divvy up the funding that was available for that position. The department put the process to them, or a recommendation on how they can share those dollars. Cash would be given to the communities to administer themselves, $2,000 a month. The only problem we have now is Rae Lakes has indicated support for that approach; the Wha Ti band manager has indicated that the offer is not acceptable; Snare Lake has not responded, so we have to get together with the three communities again and try to negotiate how we can staff that position or else we will have to staff it ourselves to make sure the services are still available to the communities in the new year.

Let me assure the Member that we will sit down with the communities again and try to work out a compromise or a deal with them how they can provide that service to their own people themselves.