Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, support the principle of the bill but am concerned that the bill is somewhat lacking. I think the intent of the Standing Committee on Finance was that in 1999, there be no accumulated debt so

there wouldn't have to be a division of an accumulated deficit in the formation of two new territories.

This act before us does allow deficits to occur in two years and doesn't specifically require that they be addressed. That's one area I would hope to see addressed through amendment to this bill. I hope that sort of amendment will take place at the committee stage. I also think there needs to be, as other Members have suggested, some teeth. There is no recourse right now should a government fail to achieve the targets set out in the bill.

I think those are two areas that will have to be addressed, but I would like to say that I support the principle of the bill and hope to see some amendments to make the bill truly address the requirement that the Standing Committee on Finance hoped to bring forward.