Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I support the motion under consideration by the House -- or by the committee. The Member, I think, has laid out the rationale for it quite eloquently which is we're all very aware that this decision was made unexpectedly. Well, not -- the decision was made unexpectedly but the rationale behind the decision has been known I think to the college, to the Minister, to the department for quite some time. But the timing of it was, of course, surprising to this House and to the department. So when we see something like that, I think it's -- we have to be responsible to what the consequences of that are and, in this case, it's, you know, reducing the total amount of grant that's being provided to Aurora College.

I have grave concerns, that I've already spoken about many times in this chamber, about the progress or lack thereof that Aurora College is making towards its goals. I think we've -- we're overly optimistic on those timelines. I question whether or not we are going to be in a position to actually be arm's length with this institution -- well, it's not even an institution, with this public agency. And until such time as it is let go, we still manage it like a public agency.

So the fact that they could blind side the Minister responsible like this is not good. It is not good for the continued management of the college. It's not good for our collaboration, cooperation, and understanding of how our working together to build a post-secondary future for the Northwest Territories. And we still don't have daylight on a number of issue that are very pressing to my constituents, a proper campus for students in the North Slave, and ultimately an institution that students want to go to. We built an institution for communities, not an institution for students. And this kind of decision just demonstrates that where we are leaving adult learners in communities out in the cold with no plan to replace it. And there's going to be a briefing that we'll all hear about. That's great. But that's well after the fact it was -- the decision was made with no real understanding of what comes next. So until we see that plan, I think this is a very strong message to send that we can't just keep approving or throwing good money after bad. We can't approve plans that don't exist. And we have to be responsible for taxpayer dollars at a time when we are very close to our borrowing limit and, furthermore, when the government has singled one of its key priorities is restoring balance. And $5 million, when you're $3 million away from the debt ceiling, is a lot of money.

And, you know, to other things, I just spoke of a water pipeline that's in dire need of replacement. I'm sure the city of Yellowknife would appreciate $5 million from our capital budget being allocated to that or for into municipal and community affairs funding formula. $5 million could go a long way to my colleague in the Sahtu who's been fighting for his winter roads for the Mackenzie Valley Highway, for other things that are needed. For my colleague in Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh who's been waiting for a school replacement for many years. $5 million in a small jurisdiction goes a very long way. And if they -- if Aurora College has said we don't need this money, we're closing these centres, then let's put it where it is needed, in other communities for Northerners who need it where there's urgent projects and urgent needs. So I support this, and I hope that the committee does as well so we can move forward and invest these limited dollars in where they're most valuable. And quite frankly, the college has told us we don't need this money, we don't want to do this program anymore, so let's take them on their word and reallocate this money into the higher priority areas of this government. Thank you.