Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my statement today will be about this government's growing public service again. Mr. Speaker, I know this public service has many people who do very good work and are dedicated to making improvements in the lives of many northerners, be it in our large or small centres. Sadly though, Mr. Speaker, I can also stipulate with conviction that there are many who just don't give a hoot.

Some of the main reasons why I raise this issue is because of the many calls I receive from many of the smaller communities. Issues such as long-outstanding land issues; issues of land tenure, land transfer and property taxation, which have been going on for years without much progress; housing materials that are still in the crates because land transfers have not been completed to begin construction. Mr. Speaker, I understand there is a process in place, but I don't believe that it should take two years.

Issues of infrastructure deficiencies that have been ignored or buried in our bureaucratic cesspool. Why do children in Colville still have to use a honey bucket in school, Mr. Speaker? The upgrade to this was to put fur on the seat, Mr. Speaker. We are in the 21st Century and this is totally unacceptable. Infrastructure in our small communities are valued much more than in our larger centres, because people do not have as many options or programs readily available like they do in our larger centres. We cannot continue to ignore or put these concerns on the bottom of this government's priority list.

Mr. Speaker, I can go on and on about the little plights of our small communities, many of which can be resolved if only we have a responsive and responsible government that can wake up this public service and get them to look outside the box called Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause