(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to take this opportunity to apologize for any embarrassment a recent editorial in Nunatsiaq News may have caused the government, my colleagues and Members of this Assembly.
I want to assure Members that my remarks during a dinner with news editor, Todd Phillips, and Iqaluit businessman, Jim Currie, were not intended as a threat, implied or otherwise, that I agree with the principles of free press and that it was wrong of me to suggest that I felt like withholding advertising from the newspaper.
It is regrettable that the full context of my comments and my offer of cooperation in helping the editor of the newspaper communicate with my office was not reported. Later today, I will be tabling a letter relating to this matter that was sent to the publisher of Nunatsiaq News by Mr. Currie. Thank you, Madam Speaker.