Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is absolutely correct that the legal aid cost sharing agreement with the federal government has been frozen at 1989-90 dollars, and we are facing a serious shortfall in the amount of money available for legal aid, compared with the demands on the system. I want to assure the Member and the House that I have given this problem priority attention. I had a chance to meet briefly with the Legal Services Board shortly after my appointment; they have now presented me with a report that they had commissioned on legal aid. I have also the benefit of the recommendations of the "Strength at Two Levels" report on that subject, and this week I am meeting with my department to consider what steps will be necessary in order to deal with these financial problems that the Member has alluded to.

I expect that I will have to make decisions soon in order to deal with the issue this fiscal year. Fortunately, I will have the benefit of this review that has been done under the auspices of the Legal Services Board and the "Strength at Two Levels" report to guide me in tackling the issue.

Today I do not know what can be done, Mr. Speaker, but I expect that by the end of the week the department will be making recommendations to me about necessary steps that will have to be taken, and I will keep honourable Members informed as those decisions are taken. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Todd.