Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to address an ongoing issue that is of great concern to residents of Hay River. Mr. Speaker, the issue that I refer to is the Hay River District Education Authority's request to form their own district education council. Mr. Speaker, Minister Ootes has stated that he will not approve the DEA's petition at this time due to several factors. Mr. Speaker, the Minister has stated that there are financial implications and member communities to be considered. In addition, the Hay River DEA was told that a pending Government of the Northwest Territories review of regional administration structures would have to take place before any change could be brought about.

Mr. Speaker, this brings to mind a similar incident that is relevant. Mr. Speaker, when the Department of Transportation undertook to create a new North Slave region, there was not an exhaustive community consultation process commenced as there was in Hay River surrounding the area of the DEA petition, at considerable expense to the Government of the Northwest Territories, I might add.

The new North Slave region has financial implications as well, Mr. Speaker. Although the Department of Transportation has ensured us there will be no loss of jobs in Hay River and no negative impact to the South Slave region, I suggest, Mr. Speaker, that due to the reduction in the economies of scale and the reallocation of funds, Hay River and the South Slave will realize negative impacts. Mr. Speaker, it appears to me that when the initiative is raised by a community that will better serve that community, they encounter a lot of roadblocks. They are always studies or reviews to be done at great expense which provide incredible delays to process.

However, Mr. Speaker, it appears that when government departments undertake to do something, it is just steamrolled ahead with little consideration given to the concerns of the affected communities. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will have further questions for the Minister responsible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.