Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is no doubt a weariness by the public with our deficit cutting agenda. However, many northerners know this is important, even if they do not like it. Hopefully, with this budget, we now have the deficit under control. The deficit elimination effort has consumed our attention for two budgets. Last year it was difficult, but this budget is even more difficult because such areas as staff cuts are more pronounced. We are dealing with the most difficult budget in the history of the NWT, as Mr. Todd said yesterday. I am certainly quite prepared to support the tough decisions that need to be made to eliminate this ugly problem. However, even if we balance the books this year, I understand we are not out of the woods yet.

We do not know what the federal financial cut backs are forthcoming, nor if we will encounter any disasters this year. Also, we have to remember, we still have an accumulated debt load of $50,000,000, which must be eliminated at some point. This debt load continues to cost this government several million dollars per year. Mr. Todd presented an interesting budget address, but I must remind everyone that $80 million was scooped out of the budget. I think it is important for the public to note where the cuts have been made. The operations and maintenance budget has been reduced by about $30 million.

The departmental reductions from 1996-97, to this budget are as follows, and I think this is of interest to the public, Mr. Speaker. The Legislative Assembly has been increased by, in the operation and maintenance end, the Legislative Assembly has been increased by $12,000, the Executive, the following are reductions, the Executive $5,889,000 reduction, Finance $974,000 reduction, Public Works and Services $8,188,000, NWT Housing Corporation $3,303,000, Education, Culture, and Employment $612,000, Transportation $4,380,000, Resources, Wildlife, and Economic Development $13,968,000. An increase has been proposed for the following departments: Municipal and Community Affairs $2,131,000, Health and Social Services $6,011,000, and Justice $1,201,000. The capital budget has been reduced by $50,000,000. The departmental reductions from