Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is always interesting to read our local Yellowknife newspapers. Some times I like what I read; other times I just have to shake my head. Recently, there was an editorial which I agreed with wholeheartedly. The writer suggested that it was time that Yellowknifers stopped relying on government for our answers and started to get involved and demand answers of our own. It is true that Yellowknife has been hit hard, very hard in the two years of the government deficit management plan. However, we cannot let these cuts defeat us. Yellowknife was built by a collective of independent, hard-working people. They pulled together as a community and created the vibrant city that I am proud to represent, along with my three Yellowknife colleagues. The City has taken a blow and is limping a bit. We are down but certainly not out. I agree with the editorial, which says that we cannot afford to sit back, and I quote, "Yellowknifers need to get involved. If you don't like what is happening in the city, speak to your MLA."

We need your support, Mr. Speaker, to continue pushing this government to treat Yellowknife fairly and equitably. We need to keep reminding the government that Yellowknife residents are the major contributors to the NWT economy, through our businesses and our taxes. As the MLA for Yellowknife South, I look forward to hearing from Yellowknifers, both with their concerns and with their ideas for how we can make things better.

Mr. Speaker, I hope that many Yellowknife residents will pick up a copy of the budget and give me some feedback, from their perspective, on this document, so that I can represent their concerns better in this House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.