Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge and recognize the Association of Municipalities which will be meeting in Hay River this weekend. It shows how important the body is to local government when you have Members here who serve on the administrative site. We have Mr. Steen who serves as an administrator in his community. Mr. Todd, at one time, served as an administrator. We have Mr. Ng who serves as an administrator and myself, yours truly. We have the Clerk of the Legislature who works for the local government in the Kitikmeot area. This shows how important the municipal local government is, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the local or community government is the closest body to a community. It ensures the municipal services are delivered in a community. It speaks for the community given many of the

government programs and services being transferred to communities, it may be today, as we speak, one of the biggest employers in the NWT at the community level. I just want to indicate to the association and my colleagues that I will not be able to attend this very important meeting. In the essence, I would like to wish them every success. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.