(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It has been stated by people who were against gender parity for the new Legislature in Nunavut that having dual legislators would cost us more to maintain the numbers. The recommendation in Footprints 2 is to have been 20 and 22 legislators in Nunavut. In order to save some dollars, I would suggest that we lessen those numbers to 16 or 18 members.

For example, if we take away four of the positions, we can save approximately one million dollars and reallocate that funding toward the communities needs. It is difficult to predict the future and if the economy remains the way it is. It is important that we first start off with fewer legislators for the new government. It seems backward for us to start off with a higher number and perhaps start cutting back on those positions in the future, dependant on our economy. When I first was elected to this House in 1975, there were only 16 legislators for all of the Northwest Territories. Over the years that number has risen and we now have 24 representatives of the electoral boundaries. I believe we have to start off with fewer numbers in the House and expand from there, basing it on our population growth. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

-- Applause