Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to speak today concerning the School of Community Government which was recently announced. Mr. Speaker, we all know that the communities have taken on more and more responsibilities and have taken on more programs and services through various forms of negotiation and programs of this and other governments including community government, community empowerment, community justice, self-government and land claims discussions. Because of that, MLAs have spoken in this House and community leaders have talked in various places and through various means saying that they need people trained in the communities. In fact, last spring this House passed a motion saying that MACA should take the lead role and develop a community development training set of programs including a one-year certificate and a two-year diploma program.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to commend the department for reacting to our motion and also for reacting to the requests of the people. The Minister recently announced that they are creating a School of Community Government and the school would provide an expanded range of training programs in broad areas including political development and governance, community management and administration, works and works management, public safety, community development and recreation and lands and that they are investing with other providers such as the colleges, the professional associations, private industry and other GNWT departments.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to indicate that Aurora College is doing a pilot program on community development at their Inuvik campus. I would hope that the plans for this school include a one-year certificate and a two-year diploma program as we had asked for because we need more than short-term courses. Once again, Mr. Speaker, I applaud the MACA department as well as their partners for taking this initiative. Thank you.

--Applause