Thank you, Madam Chair. I’d like to commend this government for continuing to operate through the formula funding agreement. Through my past experience, I know how fortunate the communities are to have this funding available to the communities to make their own decisions on how they want to spend this money and I hope we can continue to do this.

That said, a few concerns that I do have are along the lines of the water treatment plants. Over the next number of years we’re going to see development up on the Peel River watershed possibly, and Aklavik is downstream on the Peel River from the Peel River watershed. I’m very concerned about some of the chemicals that may be used, if that is their way of taking the minerals out of the ground up there. I think we need to start planning ahead and possibly look at a water treatment plant from one of the lakes up in the mountains possibly near Willow River.

Also, the same thing in Inuvik. I’m very surprised for the size of a community like Inuvik that they’re drawing water from Hidden Lake. I’ve seen that lake firsthand and that lake is very small in comparison to the community, and it really surprises me. They do draw their water from the river in the winter, and also during the spring, I believe, pump water into Hidden Lake. I think we need to start planning of drawing water from a lake like Campbell Lake. You know, that’s very good drinking water with a gravel bottom.

The same thing in Fort McPherson. They are drawing water from a deep water lake, and I know a lot of residents are concerned the water level on that lake is dropping at a rapid pace. I think we may need to look at the other lakes that draw into the deep water lake to ensure that we have good water flow.

The other thing was our schools, as I mentioned.

With that said, I would just like the department to keep going with the formula funding. With that said, thank you, Madam Chair.