Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are all familiar with the now famous no lay-off policy. I quote the Premier from his statement in this House last March when he said, "this government plans no more lay-offs, either due to division or to department consolidations" for the remainder of this government's term. This was a welcome announcement, after the difficult times and the uncertainty that government employees have faced over the past years.

I am sure the government knows that the policy was much talked about among employees. As it turns out, we are now hearing conflicting messages. Members may recall a letter we received from the Premier in August. The Premier pointed out that the creation of two new governments will result in a transfer of responsibilities to the Nunavut government. This is not ground breaking news. He also said, and I quote, "the need to downsize the public service".

Now, we are downsizing the public service, but apparently not laying off. The Premier wrote that there would be no lay-offs because there will be an internal competition process for GNWT jobs. According to the Premier, this would reduce staff numbers by creating greater mobility within the workforce. Mr. Speaker, I am not convinced that it will be quite that simple or painless or effective for that matter. We need a lot more information. To me, downsizing sounds a lot like lay-off policy by another name. Later today, I will be speaking and asking questions to the Premier on this particular topic. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.