Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories supports the main principles as outlined in the NIC model. They have mentioned many times in this House stressing government at the community level, as well as distributing new jobs through the regions and communities and decentralization where practical, with due regard to costs. We do have a deficit and we have to take costs into consideration at all times. We do not wish to be locked into endorsing all particulars of the NIC model. I note that the Baffin Leaders' Summit endorsed it. It is important for us to keep flexibility in the planning process. We are in a changing environment. Our government is confronted with serious fiscal constraints and discussions with the federal government on incremental funding for division are far from being completed. We have initiated those discussions. I talked to Mr. Irwin about this in January. Our officials are working on them as of today.

I would note, however, that the GNWT has done infrastructure costing for the NIC based upon the NIC model of government organization. This information was included in a supplementary report that NIC issued. Basically, on planning for jobs in Igloolik and Pond Inlet and building of office space and houses, we can't proceed until the federal government comes up with the cash. Thank you.