In fact, Madam Speaker, I guess I should be grateful that your ears were averted at a certain point in time yesterday, for which I thank you.

So, I've been thinking about how wise it is to be angry, strident and confrontational, especially after I noted the remarkable change in tone of Sedluk's Soapbox in Nunatsiaq News' latest edition. Sedluk's Soapbox, as we all know, is written by my honourable predecessor in this House, Mr. Bryan Pearson. Up until now, his very well-written columns have been full of venom and vitriol, often directed at government, sometimes even directed at the current MLA for Iqaluit, who had the gall to challenge Mr. Pearson, not once but twice, for the MLA job.

But, remarkably, Bryan Pearson has mellowed and softened. In his latest column, Madam Speaker, which begins, "Dear reader," Mr. Pearson shows his gentler, kinder side. He writes, "I appreciate the support and interest that you have shown in this column since I was invited to write it more than two years ago. Now, however, after careful consideration and soul-searching, it has occurred to me that the issues and concerns that I have raised and felt were important don't seem to bother others as much as they did me. Therefore, I have decided to write this in a much lighter vein, and to be positive for a change."

So, he then wished the new mayor and council the best of luck. He said it was a thankless job...I would like to carry on, with consent, Madam Speaker.