Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement today is regarding the Inuvik regional powers and initiatives that the Beaufort-Delta are taking on through self-government negotiations and more regional autonomy by taking over programs and services in Inuvik. I think one thing that is needed is resources. This government has to put more human and financial resources into the Inuvik region to offset the implication of land claims being implemented and for negotiations of self-government agreements, transfer of human resources for the hospital, the Arctic College facilities, social services and also education.

Mr. Speaker, we talk about empowering our communities, empowering our regions, but in the last couple of years with the cuts and the downsizing of this government, we have also made a major impact on regional delivery of programs and services. I think that it is critical that this government seriously considers the implication that self-government agreements are going to have on this government to carry out programs and services on behalf of the residents of Inuvik and Beaufort-Delta region. It is critical that this government also looks at that problem now and ensures that the resources and the people are in place to carry out those responsibilities that will come with implementing self-government agreements and also look at the Beaufort-Delta regional government that is presently being worked on by all of the leaders in the Beaufort-Delta, so that they can have a more productive and a more decision-making power base at the region instead of at the central level government. We have to ensure that for the programs and services that are delivered through this House that there are resources at the regional and community levels to ensure that they are carried out properly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause