Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my statement today refers to the cuts to benefits for nonunionized employees. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address an issue of concern for many GNWT employees, especially in Arviat and Baker Lake.

Last week, the government announced a new wage and benefits package for senior management and other nonunionized employees of this government. It also announced that it had presented a similar proposal to the negotiating team representing unionized employees. Mr. Speaker, the people of Arviat and Baker Lake recognize the need for government to become more efficient and to bring the amount of money we spend in line with the revenues that are available. More importantly, it is recognized that to accomplish this, government workers will have to take their share of the cuts. Although I do not personally agree with a number of the cuts, unfortunately, our poor financial situation is driving this agenda.

Mr. Speaker, the concern being expressed by my constituents and the issue I raise in this House today is the equity of these cuts to employees in the small communities. Unlike government employees in Yellowknife and other communities on the road system, the cost of living for people in smaller communities, especially Nunavut, is dramatically higher.

Mr. Speaker, the government has stated a new northern allowance introduced for non-unionized employees and being proposed for the unionized employees using Yellowknife as the base rate and is indexed to allow for the cost of living in all of the communities.

Mr. Speaker, I am not convinced at this time that the northern allowance rates set by the government adequately allow the cost of living in all of our communities.