Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, since we were first elected on December 6th, we have all agreed on at least one thing; and that is the importance of revenue-sharing with our aboriginal partners and negotiations with the federal government.

This is an important but long-term goal. We are faced with immediate issues. In five weeks it is the end of the fiscal year, which means we are going to have to have an interim supplementary bill. That has to be an immediate priority.

This is more, Mr. Speaker, than a temporary measure. The steps we take and the targets we set are going to guide us as the 14th Assembly for at least half of the fiscal year before us. We know very clearly with the deficit that this is not a status quo budget.

As my colleague from Inuvik Boot Lakes said, we have to start letting the people know with bread and butter issues, what is going to be happening. Warm and fuzzy is good but bread and butter, jobs, houses, security, possible layoffs - people want to know this.

During my election, I committed very strongly to supporting programs and services at the community level and I intend to maintain that stance. I think we all want to protect the programs and services in our communities.

In the case of a community like Fort Smith, we have made the shift from a regional centre to a program centre where we deliver programs and services to a wide range of people. It is very clear to us that we have to look at our administration. We have to look at restructuring our government to get as many resources to the program areas and as close to the people as possible, which means to the community level.

I believe that this is an experience and a commitment that just about all Members here have spoken to. I also know that, based on my experience and from what I have heard from others and from my constituents, that there are areas of savings that this government can recognize and realize. I intend to focus on those in the coming weeks and months. I would encourage all other MLAs and constituents of mine and any other northern constituents that have ideas of how we, as a government, can, in fact, deal with our deficit and maintain program and service levels in our communities to come forward. The people are waiting, Mr. Speaker. It is time for us to deal with not only the longer term but the bread and butter issues that are before us today. Thank you.

--Applause