Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to congratulate the Minister of Finance and the government for bringing this forward-looking, progressive bill forward today. This is in keeping with the spirit of the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Finance. I know that these days and in future years, it is not going to be easy to restrain spending but I admire the courage of the Minister of Finance and his Cabinet colleagues in laying this out as a goal.

I want to say, Mr. Speaker, that I'm sure we all agree it is not in the interest of Nunavut that there be a deficit on the eve of division of the Northwest Territories nor, I'm sure, is it in the interest of the new western territory that there be a deficit to deal with on the eve of the creation of that new territory. We have to take the tough steps now to ensure that future governments are not saddled with this problem. I think it is timely and appropriate that this measure be introduced now in 1995, because we're going to have to begin preparing now to ensure these problems are not upon us and have not accumulated by 1999.

Having said my piece about supporting the legislation in principle, Mr. Speaker, and congratulating the Minister for responding to the recommendations of this House, I have to add, and echo the concerns of my colleagues, that the bill could be improved on and must be improved on when it is considered during second reading in committee of the whole. Specifically, I believe that, together -- and I invite the Members of Cabinet to cooperate and work with us on this side of the House to improve the bill -- we can make it even stronger. Instead of a goal, we can make it a requirement of the Government of the Northwest Territories.

I imagine, Mr. Speaker, if the will is there and we continue to have courage and support from the Members of Cabinet, that ways can be found to strengthen this goal that I'm sure we all agree on. I think measures will be suggested and I'm confident that Mr. Pollard will welcome constructive, reasonable suggestions to strengthen the bill and ensure it's not just a goal but that it's a requirement that has reasonable incentives, if not sanctions, to ensure these requirements are met. I am pleased to support this bill, Mr. Speaker, on the expectation that, although it's good, it can be improved upon as we work on it in a spirit of cooperation and with an eye to our obligations to the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.