Thank you, Madam Chair, and thanks to Mr. Yakeleya. Of course, we know the results are vastly increased consumption leading to increases in crime and, ultimately, if this continues, and we’re talking about orders of magnitude increases in consumption here and family violence and addictions and so on, and I think that’s fundamentally the motivating factors that are causing people in the Sahtu to speak out so clearly here. I guess I’ve been convinced. I’ve listened closely to concerns about improperly curtailing businesses involved in the sale of liquor and I’m convinced by our legal advisors that this is not a discriminatory action or an unconstitutional action. I’m also convinced that the business that does exist is viable and known to be viable under restrictions, not that this will immediately result in a restriction, but it could, and so that needs to be considered, and I believe I’m okay with the situation there.

The government has raised the concern that this bill introduces inequality of communities across the Northwest Territories. Currently, every community has a voice for themselves. This changes it now to where a region can sort of dictate to a community what the situation will be, and I’m convinced this is proper, but it is a departure, as the government notices, and so it introduces a level of inequality across the communities. I’m convinced here by the people of the Sahtu and their MLA, in this case, that this exception is a legitimate exception, because it’s a fairly dire situation, but, I guess, in the end I’m left with a question about the complexity of the situation if another community – and I’ve been assured this is unlikely in the near future – wanted a liquor store and so on, then the complexity of it starts to increase and become confusing to voters.

On that basis, and given some of the departures here from the normal treatment of equality across communities, I’m hoping there’s some commitment to monitor the impacts and evaluate this proposed legislation should it pass here today. I’m hoping that’s in place. I’d welcome any comments from the Member for Sahtu on that. With that, I’ll conclude my general comments. Mahsi.