Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good afternoon, Members. I held a constituency meeting earlier this week and I'm taking this opportunity to tell Members what my constituents told me; what seems to be uppermost in their minds.

Those at my meeting were a cross-section of business people, retired people, government employees and employees of various organizations. I received some very disturbing feedback on how the actions and developments of this government are perceived by the general public and by

the members of the public service. What my constituents said was that over the short life of this government, the public and public servants have experienced many monumental changes; changes they are insecure about.

Many of my constituents are public servants of this government. What I was told and what I have also heard on the street on many occasions is disturbing. I have been told, - morale amongst the public service is extremely low. " There seems to be various causes for this: the proposed reductions in the overall remuneration package; layoffs; but disturbingly in one case that I personally know of, and there may be others, an abrupt lay-off with little rational explanation. For others, there remains the ongoing concern over statements that there will be more lay-offs, yet there is no explanation of when this may happen.

Our employees are caught in a very unsettling environment. My constituents tell me that they see programs being implemented such as community empowerment, yet there has been no release of a detailed plan of action for all this, no information on how success will be measured.

Another concern is the manner in which occupational health and safety has been transferred from the Department of Safety and Public Services to the Workers' Compensation Board without public consultation. The public perception is that this changing of programs without public input is pervasive.

My constituents are raising questions about the constitutional process. They see and hear about the aspirations of aboriginal groups and their desires for self-government. I would like to state...

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to state that 1, like many other non-aboriginal people, are supportive of many of those aspirations of the aboriginal people. However, my constituents hear statements that Cabinet is developing protocol agreements with aboriginal leaders, yet no information is provided to the public as to what these protocol agreements mean.

What my non-aboriginal constituents are concerned about is how can they participate in this process to the same degree. The list of concerns by my constituents is longer. They are concerned about division, the security of their jobs, the financial impact on our community, etcetera.

In conclusion, let me tell you about the closing remark at my constituency meeting by one of my constituents. It was a public servant of this government, a person I have a lot of respect for and whom I appreciated coming to my meeting. He and I have philosophical differences on the approach to governing, but I will always protect his right and his privilege to state his point of view and protect his right to tell me that. He said to me, always remain what you are; the independent elected person. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During our break, it was nice to return home to Inuvik and spend time with family and friends, and take part in activities held within the community. Mr. Speaker, over the last few months, we have discussed just about everything this government does or is involved in that revolves around funding. Mr. Speaker, there are many people who go beyond the call of duty. They involve themselves in activities for the young and old alike. For example, Mr. Speaker, they help in jamborees, carnivals, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, coaching and community clean-ups. They are common in every community; even in times of fiscal restraint, they continue with their activities.

Mr. Speaker, they make our communities that much better to live in. For their actions, they might receive a pin or a certificate or sometimes a passing word in a speech. Mr. Speaker, honourable Members, would you join me in showing appreciation for their commitment to the people of the communities of the Northwest Territories? Mr. Speaker, to the volunteers.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to personally recognize and thank Roxanne Tucker for coming up here today to sing and introduce her as yet another talented person from Hay River. Thank you.

--- Applause

I would like to recognize Ms. Hilary Jones, the executive director of the NWT Tourism Training Group.

--- Applause