Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to try to make the case for our competitive tax regime in the Northwest Territories and I hope the government is listening. I think if we look at the trend all around us, we see the feds reduced the amounts of capital gains tax eligible for personal tax. Alberta is reducing small business tax rates from six percent to three percent and another government committee in that province is looking at reducing large business rates from 15.5 percent to eight percent. Premier Klein, in talking about his plans for the province for the next five years, is talking about wanting to eliminate personal income tax by 2005. What a competitive advantage, Mr. Speaker.

Our government insists it recognizes the need to stay competitive, but does it? Are we aware of the implications to the Northwest Territories as provinces lower their tax rates? We risk losing long-time northern companies to the south, Mr. Speaker. In addition, it will become even more difficult to try to attract southern businesses North.

Mr. Speaker, our Finance Minister thinks we have a problem now with fly-in-fly-out workers. Well, they are going to continue to take northern jobs regardless of our protectionist strategies unless we lower our tax rates.

Mr. Speaker, we are all aware of the old adage: "the best defence is a good offence." I submit to you that this government must go on the offensive and aggressively reduce the cost of living and doing business in the North. Mr. Speaker, sadly a sales tax like the hotel tax is not a solution to our competitive disadvantage. Mr. Speaker, it is the third period, we are down four nothing, our Premier has given the nod to our resident enforcer, Mr. Handley, to go out over the boards and start a fight. Mr. Speaker, we have to score some goals and win this game. Thank you.

-- Applause