Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of our civil service. Mr. Speaker, recently there has been a lot of discussion in this House, a lot of questions and answers, concern about former senior employees being possibly in conflict by getting contracts through confidential information that was gained through their jobs.

Mr. Speaker, our civil service is the backbone of this government. We rely on them to do our research, to provide us with that information, to give us advice and to deliver our programs and services. At this time, Mr. Speaker, I wish to reassure our civil service that the discussion in this House is not meant to infer that they are all crooks. The discussion in this House is meant to try to ensure that there is a fair process in awarding GNWT contracts so that private industry of all our former employees have a fair chance of getting every contract we put out. At this time, Mr. Speaker, I would ask all our Members here to join me in showing our appreciation for our civil service. Thank you.

--Applause