Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As most people in this House know, Hay River is an entrepreneurial, resilient little town that has bounced back from many losses; thinking back not so far to the loss of Pine Point as our neighbours, and we have continued to hold our own. But it’s time, although we try to stay very positive, it is time to sound the alarm. I feel the pain of my colleagues from Inuvik, as well, with what they’re facing. The Mackenzie Gas Project is being deferred, it would appear. Electricity rates are going up. There are lots of things pressing in upon us, and we now look

to the government and say what can the government do to help us get through this difficult time. Of course, in the backdrop are the ever looming global economy issues which we see on the news.

I’d like to ask the Premier if the government has a position or a stance at this time on the significance and the issue of decentralization in the interest of fairness. Thank you.