Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Congratulations to you an9 good morning. During the 12th Assembly, Mr. Chairman, the Members of the Legislature of the NWT talked about the possibility of having an extra position on Cabinet. The Members of the 12th Assembly felt that there was a need in the House -- some of the Members at least...Other Members felt that, because of the financial restraint we are in, it would cost extra dollars to have a position within the government and would also increase the bureaucracy in the system. Some Members also felt -- because I know this because I was the chairman of the Ordinary Members' Caucus -- the Premier, at the time, was overworked. Some Members felt that the Premier's job was to direct the Cabinet and the government in this case. Members felt that the Government Leader was taking on too many responsibilities in the system, thereby allowing her to now have enough time to do the directing and overseeing the operation of the government.

We've talked about this on more than one occasion. My feeling, Mr. Chairman and my colleagues, is that given the fiscal restraint that we are in today would it be ideal to have an extra position in the government, thereby having to come up with more money when we all know, it's public knowledge, that we don't have all the money in the world that we used to have some time ago. There are some programs and services are needed that we might be cutting back in the system.

When I travel throughout my region, I find people and see people who are in need of the services and programs of this government. It is my personal feeling, Mr. Chairman, that if we have to come up with an extra position in the government and increase the bureaucracy in the system at the detriment of the people who are in need of the services that I would not be in the position to support that. But if, in fact, the money could be found internally, perhaps I would support it.

At this point in time, I will listen to my colleagues to find out where the money is going to be coming from, what the government's financial position is and from there I will be able to make a decision. At this point in time, I am just making a point. Thank you.