Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government is committed to assist in the development of those sectors of the economy that provide new businesses, employment opportunities to our communities. Many of those opportunities are going to be community driven in the area that our people do well. Block funding, turning over of funds, program dollars, administration dollars, capital dollars will be transferred over to our communities as well as infrastructure, buildings and the question of ownership. This will give our elected community leaders exactly what they want - the opportunity to set priorities over programs and services, property management, capital projects delivered in their home communities.
Government has to serve the people, not itself. This means that the government will be making sure that Aboriginal rights - treaty rights - and Aboriginal concerns and views are taken into account in the planning process and decisions. Partnerships in operating health and education boards will go to the community level under community empowerment initiatives. Is this a priority of the government and this Assembly to work towards healthy communities and community based problem solving by continuing the community wellness initiative?
Instead of three or four government assisted organizations helping people at the community level there would be a single more cost-effective agency, like that of the Tl'oondih Healing Society that can serve as a centre for community wellness initiatives within our communities. Our communities will be able to use block funding from the government to set our priorities, programs, such as education, health services, social services, social assistance, employment and training, community justice and other initiatives.
Healthy communities are needed to take advantage of job opportunities that will be created through privatization and by seizing the economic development opportunities. Mr Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude by statement.