Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak briefly about the issue of health boards in the NWT, specifically, the one in Fort Smith. The concern I have is based on some of the discussion I have heard in the House emanating from the Inuvik region. Mr. Speaker, the government has made a considerable effort in the last number of years to empower communities and health boards in regions to deliver health services and programs and make the appropriate decisions for the people they serve. In Fort Smith, we have had a very intense history with health boards and what happens when there is political involvement or interference at the territorial level and how that can affect the community. In Fort Smith's case, there was a review that was planned and they spent

almost a $1 million on. The community and health centre went through a tremendous time of trauma and stress. At the end of the day, the review was cancelled, but the situations and the questions raised went unresolved. Mr. Speaker, we are still paying for that price and for that process today, I want to make sure that, in fact, this government stays true to the course they have set out with health boards to ensure they, in fact, are the vehicle to work out and resolve health issues in their community and their region. Mr. Speaker, in Fort Smith, the health board within the community worked out an arrangement to have a board that was representative of the community along with major groups and governments in the community, the band, the town and the Metis. We have made clear and significant steps in being able to administer those programs. While I do not want to interfere in the activities and business emanating from the Inuvik region, I want to make it very clear from the government and I would like reassurance that, they are going stay on course and that health boards will be allowed to carry out the duties they have been empowered to deliver. Hopefully we, as MLAs in this Assembly, will play a broad strategic role but not get involved politically in short circuiting the role and function of the boards. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.