Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I ask the Minister responsible for self-government, Mr. Bob McLeod, on the preparation initiatives underway from the pre-implementation leading up to the Deline self-government in the next two and a half months. What undertaking is underway to ensure this Assembly there's going to be a smooth transition? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to recognize Dora Grandjambe, Theresa Etchinelle, and Mary Ann Vital. Welcome to the Assembly. Members of our home riding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Today I rise in the House here to discuss the self-government initiatives undertaken within the Sahtu region, more importantly and more specifically we, the first government, here will see the first community-based and self-government initiative this fiscal year in a few months to come: the Deline self-government agreement. I would like to congratulate the previous government and the previous parties to that initiative and later I'll have questions to the responsible minister on pre-implementation planning which is important to any agreement on the implementation side of things. Mr. Speaker, I'll have questions to the other remaining communities on their self-government initiatives. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yes. Not so much in the other departments, but within this department, is there evidence I would say since the MOU was signed to exercise awareness through the workshops for the programs offered by this Department? Is there funding set aside to hold workshops with the Sahtu communities?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. To add to that, more specifically there's a Sahtu MOU signed this past June last year, June 25, to initiate discussions of more efficiencies on a variety of programs set by this government identified in the MOU. I'm just wondering if there's funding available to exercise the MOU on the variety of services provided by the department and programs and grants? Has there been a workshop supporting the MOU identifying the programs and services, so it'll be better accessible or communication sharing of the programs underneath the MOU?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. With the department sponsoring a lot of these programs and community assistance, does the department set aside funding for regional awareness workshops to initiate discussions about the programs and services and subsidies the department offers?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My last question is: I ask the Minister to provide me with a briefing so I can advertise and market this new service this year within the community I represent. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Can the Minister clarify on yesterday's presentation his statement when, and I quote, we are also changing our approach to operators in government owned buildings? What is the rationale behind that statement?

One of the changes that I have heard is a concern back home, and I'm hoping and I'm getting the feeling that it is going to be in this new program. Can the Minister confirm that housing units will be made available to the day home that operators live in, to turn that into a day home facility?