Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I stand in this House today to express my community and other small communities' concern with the recent budget spending. Of course, the small communities do not see any new spending on their wish lists, new jobs, nor any decentralized positions, which will add value to our workforce and community.

Mr. Speaker, since coming into the 19th Assembly, when one mentions the word "decentralization", it is like an unfathomable term and a threat to government employees who do not want to uproot, leave the city, or a regional centre. We, on the other hand, who live in small communities, see this as a lifeline to our very existence, and this can only enhance our local economy. We would then be able to plan for much needed infrastructure, such as office space to accommodate new employees, and perhaps there will be no questions with providing childcare spaces.

Mr. Speaker, we in the small communities look up to the large centres with envy as to what they have in terms of jobs and infrastructure. We scratch our heads and wonder why we constantly get turned away when we bring our plight to this government. Yet, when last minute proposals come in, right away they make a budget line item simply because they come from a large centre.

If COVID has taught us anything in regard to small communities, it's the lack of infrastructure and staff to house homeless residents of our communities. I believe I brought such a situation to this government with no end results. I didn't even receive an apology for this situation and the situations our communities find themselves in.

This government needs to issue an apology to our residents for the lack of improved services to our healthcare, lack of infrastructure, lack of attention to our education system, and for the lack of jobs faced by our residents.

Mr. Speaker, I could go on and on and on, but I believe small communities' issues have been brought to the forefront many times without much success. This government needs to start touring into our communities to hear our experiences and wants of the people. Mahsi.