Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On a national context, I just appreciate the fact that we were mentioned. Historically, we have not. While some of us think maybe we are the centre of the universe, we simply are not. What I was encouraged with, was the fact that the Finance Minister of Canada, the Honourable Paul Martin, made it clear that he balanced the budget for this year, for next year and the year after. We should applaud him for that.
By implication of balancing the budget, that means there will be no more future cuts. He has also indicated in the fine print in the budget that incremental costs associated with division of the two territories would be there. I would hope that my honourable colleague, who I know has a keen interest in ensuring there is adequate funding in the eastern Arctic, would be encouraged by that, as I am. I am encouraged by the fact there are no more reductions in federal territorial transfer payments. That is in keeping with the commitment I had from Mr. Martin, both on a personal and a professional basis. I am encouraged by the fact there is reference to division and the term incremental costs are there, in the verbiage, in terms of the fine print. I am optimistic we will be able to sit around the table, all parties and indicate that the funding that will be provided on April 1, 1999 east and west, will be adequate. I do not know how much more I can say. Thank you.