Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I would just like to ask the Minister a question about the forest fire suppression. I represent two communities that are not regional centres. They are outlying communities managed by regional centres such as Fort Smith. Many people in my communities fight fires at one time or another. I started my working life at an early age fighting fires.
The tools you use in doing the job are very important. It is not an easy job. It is quite dirty. It is laborious and often dangerous. I have great concern when I have constituents coming to me with concerns and complaints about how regions divvy up equipment that is purchased new.
What often happens, according to personal experience and from what constituents tell me, is that regional centres buy brand new equipment and ship used equipment down the line to the communities for people like my constituents to use. I would recommend, and I hope the Minister takes this seriously, when regional centres purchase new equipment, they should also purchase new equipment for the communities, and not provide hand-me-downs. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.