Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement is with regard to the establishment of the regional council in the Beaufort/Delta, which consists of the Inuvialuit and Gwich'in tribal councils. Also with the financial restraints in mind and the restructuring of government, this is the opportunity that we have to take over more initiatives, especially in the area of empowering communities and also empowering the region to manage and administer programs and services within that region.
Right now, the Gwich'in and Inuvialuit are presently in the negotiation process with the federal government for self-government. They are also in the process of establishing a regional government within the constitutional process and through the aboriginal summit.
The goal we see in the Beaufort/Delta region is to eventually eliminate or take over the establishment of boards such as education boards and health boards. We want to look at things such as health, housing, justice, economic development and tourism potential within that region. I think, at the end of the day, we have to allow the process to continue to empower communities and regional and aboriginal groups within those regions, so that they can eventually take over more responsibilities and control of those programs.
Also, what we say with regard to this process is fundamentally on the back of everyone's mind is financial restraint. We see a very large financial savings in establishing one body to oversee the operation of the whole region. Instead of establishing several boards and agencies, we will just have one administrative body that will oversee programs and services delivered in that region. I have a question which I will be raising later with the Premier. Thank you.