Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to rise today to speak briefly on the issue of pay equity which is a very critical issue and one, I hope that can be resolved in an affordable way. The reason I rise today, Mr. Speaker, is just to make a point on behalf of my constituents.

We all know in the last two years the government has had to cut almost $200 million out of its budget and it cost us almost 1,000 jobs eliminated, program and service reductions across the board for all residents.

The issue of pay equity, of course, is of great concern to many northerners. From what I have heard from sources outside of this Assembly, what is being asked for exceeds the magnitude of the cuts we had to endure for two years in order to balance our budgets. Very clearly, Mr. Speaker, I want to make the point on behalf of the residents of Thebacha that we cannot afford or sustain another round of cuts of that magnitude. What we have done has cost us and all northerners, what only can be described as blood, sweat and tears.

I would hope and encourage this government and the union, in fact, to come to a common agreement that all northerners can afford, so that we can move on to other more pressing issues and finally, after ten years, put this issue behind us in an affordable way. Thank you.

--Applause