Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I`d like to speak today about my constituency meeting that I had last night at N.J. Macpherson School, which is located in my riding. It was the most well-attended constituency meeting that I`ve had in my five years representing the Kam Lake riding. Twenty-seven constituents showed up to voice their concerns over how this government is being run.

There is an anger and anxiety amongst the public that I have not witnessed before. For the first time, some constituents even brought demonstration signs and placards with them to my meeting. They

are very unhappy with the way this government is operating. They are upset with the handling of the proposed changes to the supp health benefits, the Opportunities Fund and the loan to Discovery Air, sky-high power rates, and as if that wasn`t enough, board reform is now front and centre and, it appears, being shoved down their throats.

I spoke yesterday about the GNWT`s pathetic effort at consultation and engaging the public in a meaningful way. The government just does not seem like they want to listen to our people. Rather they seem intent on force feeding a plan on board reform that does nothing for anyone except make a Minister’s job easier; less accountability and less oversight and more bureaucracy. The plan has not articulated what is wrong. The government line should be: if it’s not broke, don’t worry, we’ll break it.

My constituents want the government to keep their hands off of education in our community.