Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to today acknowledge the performing talent here in the Northwest Territories, and the CBC for helping to promote the many people that are so talented throughout the north, giving them the opportunity to be able to broadcast and spread word of their songs and entertainment.

This morning I was listening to the radio while I was shaving and Charlie Panagoniak came on with his very talented and uplifting song, Squirrels. To me it is uplifting, I do not understand Inuktitut, but it was a very uplifting, catchy tune. To me, it set the tone for the day, Mr. Speaker. I want to state that to all you people out there that perform, and to CBC, thank you for allowing our talented people to develop their talent.

Charlie Panagoniak dates back to the 1970s. All of us have heard of him before and have seen him entertain. He is a wonderful entertainer. Thank you very much, Charlie.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when I was elected I told the people of Inuvik that I would come down and voice their concerns on fairness in the way the government operates. We have heard today, in some communities we have very little, and in some we have more than enough. It seems that we go around and we discuss, and we discuss some more. At the end of the day, we walk away feeling, what have we accomplished? I ask myself this question, time and time again.

Especially when we look at the upcoming budget. I hope we will address fairness in equity, because if what I am seeing is just the start of the 1997-98 business plan, the budget, I have grave concerns for the Inuvik and Delta region. I think as a government we have said we will treat people fairly. It is time we started putting some practise to our words. We need to let people see that it is going to happen, that we are looking out for the long term interests of the Territories. When the time of division comes, we will not have created communities that are lacking, that will have a very difficult time trying to continue on in the way that they have, not only become accustomed to but developed.

Inuvik, at one time, had a healthy, thriving private economy. I hope someday we will see that once again come north. But for now, we are heavily dependent on the government, and I hope this government would keep that in mind when making its decision of what it will do with its budget. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it has been over a year now since I addressed the concerns of Holman Island in regards to division and how division would effect that community. I brought this concern to the attention of the Premier over a year ago. To date, there is still no movement on the part of this government as regards to setting up a meeting in Holman Island that would address division.

I have seen, in the past year, some departments, including the Power Corporation, moving their services to Holman Island and to the Beaufort region. I am told that the police are in the process of moving to Inuvik the services for Holman Island. The people in Holman Island still request this meeting of high level officials to address the affect of division on Holman Island. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time today I will be asking the Minister of Finance, who is in charge of the division committee as to what this government is doing towards that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have not had occasion very often, while sitting in the House, to recognize someone in the gallery, but today I would like to recognize my wife Shauna, who has come down to spend a couple of days with me.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize the Chief from Tsiighetchic, who has come down with hat in hand, going to the different departments, hoping to get some money so that he can run his community, which presently is in the deficit, and projects are being hi-jacked and what not. Moris Blake, the Chief from Tsiighetchic.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Deputy Premier, Goo Arlooktoo, in regards to my opening statement to the whole question on when we make statements in this House or base quick questions to the different Ministers in regards to concerns raised by our constituency, what is this government doing to ensure that those concerns are being carried out by the different departments and also by this government?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regards to the whole question of the review or process you use within Cabinet, what assurances do we have that our concerns will be taken seriously and addressed by this Cabinet?