My statement today is in regards to the community empowerment initiatives that this government is presently under, especially with the axe cutting process that we are going through, especially with alcohol and drug programs, the closure of Delta House and the problems with the Tl'oondih Healing Centre, in relation to the services that we are going to deliver in the communities, in regards to the resources that the communities will have to operate with, and the facilities that they presently operate in. In the case of the Aklavik Alcohol Action Committee, they have been renting a unit off the government of the Northwest Territories for ten years, which is currently the alcohol and drug office and also the facility where people go for treatment.

As far as empowering communities, we also have to allow the communities to have the facilities, the operation and maintenance funds and also the training to ensure that they have the proper resources in place. With that, I will be asking the Minister regarding a letter I have received from the Alcohol Action Committee and the mayor of Aklavik to try to find ways to allow the Alcohol Action Committee in Aklavik to continue to maintain and operate this facility which has been identified for sale by public tender. At the appropriate time, I will be asking the Minister a question on this and if there is a possibility of allowing them to continue to operate and maintain that facility for alcohol treatment in Aklavik. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.