Sorry, Mr. Speaker. I did not have my hand up when you asked with respect to speaking to the motion. Mr. Speaker, I am somewhat concerned at the way the wording of this motion is developed. I will just make two comments that I certainly agree with the intent of the motion. However, I am concerned with the comments, and I quote the last paragraph, Mr. Speaker: "And further, that this Assembly recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories, in cooperation with the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, review the effectiveness and cost of official languages services provided for the Legislative Assembly."

Mr. Speaker, I recognize the cost of providing official languages to the people of the north for the Legislative Assembly, and I certainly agree with the total concept of this Legislative Assembly being granted to the people of the north in official languages. I am somewhat concerned; as Mr. Patterson stated, we do possibly spend $11,000 per day. However, reviewing the effectiveness and cost may allow for some aboriginal languages to be eliminated, and I am concerned, and I state this for two reasons.

Many of my constituents speak Chipewyan. Unfortunately, I don't speak it fluently. I understand it to some degree, there is no doubt. But many of my constituents also speak Cree which is not provided by this Legislative Assembly. I am concerned that they may feel that, if no Member in this Assembly speaks Chipewyan, it may not be effective and cost-efficient to provide that language. Possibly, by this motion, it could result in that particular language being eliminated by this Assembly, and I am very concerned with that. I will state that I have a difficult time supporting this motion with the particular wording, "in reviewing the effectiveness and cost of official languages services provided for the Legislative Assembly", so I would like to propose an amendment, Mr. Speaker, if I may.