Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regards to the government’s responsibility for devolving programs and services to communities, a lot of times, Members from the smaller communities ask questions to the government in regards to particular activities that we would like to see an improvement on in our communities. And yet, Mr. Speaker, those program responsibilities still lie with this government: education in regards to our schools, our health centres and also including the policing services. It is services that are still being delivered by government departments. Yes, we transferred responsibility to local municipalities in regards to municipal services, but yet we still have programs and services that need attention in our smaller communities such as replacement of skills, improvement to our health care centres and, more importantly, improving the infrastructure that this government still has responsibility over.

The other area I think this government still has a clear responsibility for is in regards to water treatment plants in our communities. Mr. Speaker, in regards to the situation that happened in Walkerton, Ontario, in which the major municipalities were found liable in regards to those...(inaudible). So were the operators and so was the Ontario government. I think that this government cannot loosen its responsibility for those water treatment plants in our communities. If anything, I personally would request the communities to allow the government to retain that asset as a government asset, ensure that they are responsible for all liabilities associated with water treatment plants, the treatment of water and also the testing of water in our municipalities.

Again, Mr. Speaker, I think it’s critical that this government does not say, well, sorry, we gave the money to the community, it’s no longer our responsibility. This government is responsible for the assets that were put in place in our communities regardless if it happened 10 years ago or 20 years ago, because there are liabilities that

are associated with it regardless if its environmental or structural or there will be a need at some point to replace those assets as we’re seeing in the Mackenzie Delta in regards to pilings on our buildings. More importantly, climate change and the implication it has on public infrastructure.

Mr. Speaker, with that, I’d like to remind the government that they do have an obligation to our communities and not continue to say sorry, we gave the money to the communities. Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Premier questions on this later. Thank you.