Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I rise to speak, I'm ever mindful of the tremendous record for duration and length of replies to the opening address. I want people to rest assured that I won't be anywhere close to that today.

I would like to publicly go on record today, before we break for Christmas to indicate that I've had input as an MLA through Caucus and through the new committee structure into the contents of the Premier's statement yesterday, and that I fully support the direction being taken by this Assembly and the government and the need to address the deficit in the decisive and clear manner that is fair and equitable and keeps in mind the need to protect the communities and those who can least afford to take major cuts. I think it's important, at least to me, that I go on record to say this now because when I go home, I want to be able to say and have it known that I support this, that I was involved in this process and I will continue to state my case in this regard.

I think, as the Minister of Finance has indicated, that this is a manageable situation. If we make careful, wise decisions we can deal with this. We have to do it quickly so that it doesn't take over our agenda. But I will be out there and I will go where this Assembly asks me to go to make this case to people to justify our decisions and support this initiative.

In closing, I would just like to clarify. There were a few questions raised at break, but I did wish to extend the best season's greetings to each and every one of my constituents in Thebacha. Thank you.

---Applause