Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to briefly touch once again on the issue and concept of community service boards. Mr. Speaker, it is very clear that the people of Hay River are not happy with the current arrangement with the South Slave Divisional Education Council. I do have a copy of the report that was just done in terms of whether they have been treated fairly or not.

The report indicated that yes, Hay River is being treated fairly, but Mr. Speaker, I think there is an underlying issue here that has to be looked at. We have to look at the government's issues in the South Slave so that we can come up with a way of governing ourselves that is deemed appropriate by all communities. We have the Cuff report coming. We have a Social Agenda Conference coming. We know there is work being done on governance, and we know within the South Slave there is a chance of regional operations. It has been historically demonstrated that it is not a very viable form of governance.

I would hope that very soon we will be able to seriously look at this issue of community service boards as one way of possibly coming up with a form of governance that will be appropriate, that will allow communities to bring together under one board health, social services, education, housing and justice. This will limit their administration costs, improve program integration and do away with the needless friction between communities that causes so much stress and burns up valuable energy and resources.

Mr. Speaker, later today I will be asking the Premier where this particular concept fits in to the planning process, and when will the people of the South Slave and the individual communities be able to sit down with the government to talk about whether this is in fact a viable option. I believe it is. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause