Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions to the Premier are in regards to my opening statement. One thing I have noticed with this interim appropriation and the cuts to our small communities, is the whole question about compassion and realizing that there are certain social and economic situations in our small communities that keep arising.
It is especially true with the high cost of living and the high percentage of people who are unemployed. In some communities, we are talking 80 and 85 percent unemployment. Yet, Mr. Speaker, when it comes down to the question about need, I think we are finding out that it is more greed than need. Especially in the context of looking at this budget, where I see a lot of items, especially in my riding, in the area of $50,000 being taken out of here and there. And there are areas where half the transportation capital budget is in one jurisdiction.
I have been working hard to ensure that we have an economic base to help people get off income support and get jobs, and find ways to improve the lives of people in our communities.
I would like to ask the Premier, what has he done to put some criteria in place or principles that his Cabinet and this government can follow to ensure that we meet the goals people in the small communities are setting for themselves? Thank you.