Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does this government still have an affirmative action policy? If we do, does this affirmative action policy apply to cabinet? Apparently not. The Minister of MACA would not answer yesterday when I asked if MACA follows the policy. Now, for this assistant deputy minister position, it should not have even been advertised in the south, never mind hire a southerner. Talk about kicking a person while he is down. You hire a

southerner, and they have absolutely no northern experience whatsoever. I would suggest that if the interviewers were not happy with the northern applicants, they should have re-advertised the position. This has been done many times. I would like to know why this was not done in this instance. Mr. Speaker, in the words of a well known, beloved, benevolent benefactor, who is all things for all people in all areas of the NWT, why, why, why?

The only word that comes to mind is arrogance, Mr. Speaker. Yes, arrogance, and I cannot understand the arrogance of this cabinet, and I cannot condone it. The job offer for this assistant deputy minister position should never have been made, and I am asking the Minister to revoke it. Thank you.

-- Applause