Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to begin my comments by expressing my concern that although this issue undoubtedly will have some impact, perhaps a small impact, but nonetheless some impact on collective bargaining that will soon be going on with the public servants of the Government of the Northwest Territories, I believe strongly in the collective bargaining process and I think it would be unwise if not irresponsible of elected persons to now begin discussing that independent process in public in this legislature. I want to say at the outset that I am not going to play into the hands of one party or the other by speaking about the collective bargaining process in this legislature even during this debate. I think we should let the collective bargaining process take its own course.

There are some who have advocated fishbowl negotiating going on. I believe that most people who respect the collective bargaining process would agree, even strong labour leaders, that interference from politicians is not welcome nor is it at all helpful. So we should let that process take its course .

I would also like to say, Mr. Chairman, in responding to another part of Mr. Zoe's comments, that I am a Member of the Management and Services Board, I don't pretend to speak for that board today, but the board has been criticized for the method in which it consulted MLAs about recommending this legislation. I am sure, Mr. Chairman, that we can learn from this experience and, in future, the Management and Services Board can find better ways of consulting with MLAs and giving them notice of legislation that will affect their own benefits and also will have other implications.

The fact remains, as Mr. Zoe said, the matter was taken to Caucus. Caucus could have deferred or chosen to further study the bill and it was instead recommended for passage, partly with the new fiscal year in mind. So that happened. The process may not have been perfect, but we now have to deal with the bill today. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.