Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I'm very pleased by the response we're getting from the regions and from the communities. They certainly have been very actively pursuing the department to get things done. There have been several meetings in the various regions and with interest groups as well, to determine how we're going to accomplish the amalgamation and the planning for these two departments. It was my intention that we do further work in putting together a plan of action to go forward at the regional levels. I haven't been able to do that, Mr. Speaker, at this time

because I've not had the time to dedicate some clear thinking time as we've been caught up in some of the meetings that we are having, which have been important to attend. So I don't have anyone clearly defined and assigned to the communities yet.

I didn't want to have the regions put in a situation where one part of the consolidation would feel that they were the lead entity and one would feel left out. It was my intention, as soon as we get some free time, to go myself with the officials to the regions and work out a plan. I know that the regions themselves are thinking about it and actively putting down their thoughts on how we can shortcut some of the bureaucracy that generally leads to tying up this type of initiative.

Mr. Speaker, I do have a great deal of support from my Cabinet colleagues to try to get the region working towards consolidation. I know that the communities themselves would like to know when they can move on their own initiatives.

Mr. Speaker, we'll do the best we can. I know summer is coming, but we don't intend to slow down the process because where some regions would use a certain time of the year as being appropriate to them, I think we can organize our time and our initiatives with those regions in order that it can accommodate the greater number of people possible in those communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.