Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in my reply to the Opening Address, after nearly 25 years of lobbying this government, the Hamlet of Rae-Edzo has taken it upon itself to investigate ways of constructing an airport for the community of Rae-Edzo. To date the Hamlet has contracted a specialist to develop a geotech study to review alternative sites as well as to develop a socio-economic study to determine the benefits that could be achieved with an airport in the community.
To me, these are positive moves that will hopefully provide us with a badly needed facility. For years, this government has taken the position that Rae-Edzo does not need an airport because of the highway linkage. However, this does not really hold water as, traditionally, Rae-Edzo has been, and still is, the hub of the region for considerable trade taking place between all communities within the region. The Hamlet is now in the process of finding partners that understand our position or are willing to work with us to provide this very important life-line. I hope this government will find a way that they can assist the community with this worthwhile venture.
I would also like to say that, again, after many years of discussions between this government and the community of Rae-Edzo, I believe we are finally coming to agreement over the issue of an inadequate water and sewage system. I was, to say the least, sympathetic to my colleague's demonstration yesterday regarding the problems the city and he are having with the water and sewage system. It is important to realize that some of our infrastructures are aging and need repair and it should not be the community's full responsibility to repair our system. I would like to believe that the Department of MACA will be prepared to take some responsibility. I just hope the talks with the community will continue and we will have some solution to this problem. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.