Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The proposal was well thought out. We are -- and have indicated this many times in this House -- trying to deal with this thing in a caring and compassionate way. We recognize, and I certainly recognize after spending 30 years in Arctic communities, what the cost of living is to live in Pond Inlet, I've lived there; what the cost of living is to live in Cambridge Bay, I've lived there; and what the cost of living is to live in Rankin Inlet, I've lived there. This government is trying its best to, one, meet a deficit elimination strategy that this House is supposed to have supported; and, two, to ensure that we keep as many jobs as possible for the people who we all represent.
Every effort is being made by this Department of Finance in the overall deficit elimination strategy to ensure we meet these objectives. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.