Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of privilege today concerning a CBC; news report that was aired this morning at 8:30. Mr. Speaker, the news report in question concerned the resignation of my colleague, Hon. John Ningark, from cabinet and the process to be used for his replacement. Mr. Speaker, the reporter involved here, Suzanne Morphet, used a quote of mine taken on Friday for the story, and used it in a way to create a media-generated controversy between Western and Eastern Arctic Members over how cabinet Ministers are chosen.

Mr. Speaker, I am on record in support of a particular process that would see puffing the best people forward for cabinet positions, rather than the present system we have now with an equal number chosen from the East and the West. However, in saying this, whatever process we use must be arrived at in a democratic fashion, and to attempt to create a controversy by implying that the East and West are already fighting over the method to be used to choose cabinet Ministers, even before the full caucus has had the opportunity to discuss it, helps no one.

The general public has not been given a true reflection of what is going on, and CBC, Mr. Speaker, should behave in a more honest and responsible fashion. Mahsi cho.