Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak today, in protest against the lack of action, and the priority given, to address the inadequate funding and resources to our day care programs. Mr. Speaker, we are well aware of the fact that Rainbow Childcare Centre in Fort Smith is on the verge of closing this Friday. The sad fact is, Mr. Speaker, that this is only one of many, in recent years, that have shared the same fate. The centre in Inuvik closed not long ago. I know at least three centres closed in Yellowknife recently. Mr. Speaker, I could also tell you that most of the ones that are running in the city are in constant threat from lack of funding and resources. Mr. Speaker, we also saw, first hand, the struggles for resources in Lutselk'e day care centre, and the list goes on and on.

Mr. Speaker, how long could this go on? It is about time that this government acts on what it says about the importance of children. Mr. Speaker, whenever asked, the Minister is quick to point the finger at the federal government. Already, I know that the Minister is armed with answers as to why we couldn't give $20,000 bail-out for the day care in Fort Smith, or why he couldn't get money from the federal government. Well, Mr. Speaker, I am not going to buy that anymore. The fact that the Minister couldn't get the funding, or change the funding formula, only speaks to his inaction and incompetence. The children should not be blamed for not getting any funding, Mr. Speaker.

This government always has money to bail out diamond companies, with multi-millions of dollars, in the name of creating jobs and keeping jobs. Well, good on you. I have to tell you that the day care centres in our communities create jobs in every community that are meaningful and relevant to the people who live there. It keeps the people who have jobs, and people that are going to school to keep in school so that they can get better jobs. Mr. Speaker, why is there no help for these centres?