Mr. Speaker, thank you. Following on the heels of my colleague's statement, I, too, want to address the matter of the proposal to relocate the Territorial Treatment Centre to Hay River.

For many years the NWT's only care facility, I believe, for young children with these severe behaviour problems has been the TTC facility here in Yellowknife.

For several months the idea has been in play to relocate this centre to Hay River. The proposal is based on some very expensive renovations to an existing old building with limited capacity, compared with putting those dollars into the now vacant Dene K'onia centre. This would expand capacity and, from information I have seen, it would be a good use of taxpayers' dollars and in the long-run be a better facility for the NWT's population of children with these problems.

In a newspaper story this week, I made known my views in support of this idea. What I did not emphasize in this interview, Mr. Speaker, was an equal concern for the 17 jobs now located at the TTC and for the families and children who would face disruption from such a move. Needless to say, I have heard from staff and parents who were very upset with my views.

I apologize to these people, Mr. Speaker, for not acknowledging their situation in this newspaper interview. I am hoping to arrange a meeting with the staff and I want them to know that I will make sure that their situation is fully represented in this potential relocation. I would emphasize that it is far from being concluded.

Mr. Speaker, as MLAs we are often confronted with situations that conflict between our own local priorities and those that might serve the territory as a whole. This is a classic example of that kind of conflict. I want to assure my constituents that I will work for a solution that will be in their best interests and the best interests of the children of the Northwest Territories and of the resources of the territorial government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause