Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I raised a concern in regard to the water system and the costs that have increased in the community of Fort McPherson. Mr. Speaker, the thing that alarmed me in walking through the Great Hall was taking a look at the visitors' book, where visitors who come to this gallery put their name in the book and also a comment or two.
Mr. Speaker, I was surprised to read the comments from the mayor of Fort McPherson, "The meeting never went well", and the comment from John Smith, the same comment but adding "a lack of government support" in that important phrase.
We are here to serve the people, not to serve ourselves, but yet Mr. Speaker, from the meeting that was held yesterday and the comments that I read in the visitors book in the Great Hall, it clearly states that there was no outcome to the satisfaction of the mayor of Fort McPherson, the SAO, and myself as the MLA for the riding. Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of questions to be answered. Why was it that information was withheld from the community of Fort McPherson and the residents of Fort McPherson on the building practice of the Department of Public Works and Services?
The information was only revealed after I made a personal sit-down with the Minister to ask for a list of items and information for the communities. When the community met with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, they were told, after asking for detailed cost breakdowns on a monthly basis, that the information could not be provided.
Yet every month they receive in the mail an invoice for maintenance of the Fort McPherson water plant for $67,000. No questions asked. Pay the bill and be quiet. Mr. Speaker, this problem has been apparent for over two years and this government has made it their priority. Saying it is not a priority of government or saying that it does not stand the test to require emergency funding is not called for. Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister responsible questions on this matter later.