Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the government knew last summer that it was facing a severe budget shortfall. It is my opinion that the government should have begun discussions with our union and our public servants at that time, to work out common solutions to the fiscal situation. This was not done and now the 13th Assembly is put in a very difficult situation.
Mr. Chairman, the window of opportunity for the 13th Assembly to balance this budget and to get our fiscal house in order is narrowing. Mr. Chairman, I realize this and I also realize that the changes in the Public Service Act are to make this so. Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, being introduced before the public service bargaining units sit down to negotiate with the government sets out a dangerous precedent for the collective bargaining process in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Chairman, the process does not allow for the input needed. I will vote against the bill, as I have stated from the beginning of this debate, because of the process. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.