Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, during the last Assembly, there was a court hearing because of constitutional rights. Seats in Yellowknife, Inuvik and Hay River were increased to reflect the population in the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, since the Government of the Northwest Territories was created, we've seen a top down government. A high government employment rate in the city of Yellowknife, central and regional centres, while the communities have no employment. Government seems to be created to keep people on welfare in our communities.

Now why is it that we have increased seats in Hay River, Yellowknife, Inuvik when the majority of the government is here? I recognize that we need to increase those seats, but shouldn't we recognize at the same time, Mr. Speaker, the need for employment in every community in the Northwest Territories? The need for a GNWT presence in every community in the Northwest Territories? In my reply to the Budget Address yesterday, I stated that when a person fills out an application in Tuktoyaktuk, he writes his name and he writes Tuktoyaktuk, NWT. In Fort Good Hope, it's Fort Good Hope, NWT. We need government employment there as well. We have all kinds of programs and services that we try to deliver effectively in the Northwest Territories, government programs and services, Mr. Speaker, but a lot of times we don't have the human resources or the financial resources to implement those programs and services. I say it's time that we follow the constitution and follow the examples taken when they gave extra seats in those communities that I mentioned and start devolving government positions to the communities so that we could eliminate and reduce the high unemployment rates in the communities and deliver programs and services effectively as a government. Spread out the wealth of government in the Northwest Territories. I bet we will see healthier people, happier people, a prosperous government, Mr. Speaker. I think as we go into the next Assembly, we are preparing a transitional document. We should develop a framework that will see that happen. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause