Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the comments and suggestions the Members are making. We know there are some real major issues looming on the horizon.

One that is mentioned a number of times is the increasing difficulty in coping with the social issues at the community level. We also know that looming on the horizon is the very strong reality that aboriginal people will be establishing aboriginal governments, or public governments, aboriginal-public government models, and that these will need to be set up and given some prospect for governing a relatively healthy population. A strong, well-educated mobile population with a good economic base. We need to prepare to meet those things the best we can.

Generally, we are talking about preparing for self-government or items like the pipeline, highway and for ensuring that we do everything we can now so that northern and aboriginal peoples will have a strong economic future and will be well positioned to take charge of governments, of economic development opportunities, to initiate economic development wherever we can. Also, to have governments they can feel a part of, manage and govern themselves with.

Specific suggestions as to what we can do with the sale of alcohol and the government's involvement in those areas...we have already privatized to a certain extent. If there are more suggestions to be made, we would welcome them. They need to be considered in the context of government making itself more efficient and accountable, but also providing opportunities for communities to have some say in the way government carries out functions.

I cannot respond more specifically to the Member on his suggestions about liquor outlets and revenue raised through the sale of alcohol at this time, but it will be brought to the attention of the Finance Minister. We will discuss this in due course.

I think I have to remind Members, particularly during question period, we have been here about a month. It would hardly be respectful for us to suggest, even for a moment, that we have a whole new plan and initiative clearly and well thought out, that we can start suggesting that we are in charge and have a very clear vision and direction at this time.

Many of the responses that will be given to Members during this Session will be the responses that perhaps previous Ministers and governments have been giving, simply because we are reorganizing, or as the Minister responsible for Education said yesterday, we have given Ministers virtually no time to pay attention to their individual portfolios and to be briefed on the many issues and responsibilities, legislation, policies and programs they are responsible for.

We have made it a point to work with the Ministers in looking at the general picture. We made it almost impossible for them to take time, except for the evenings and weekends, to look at the briefing books, to read what specific responsibilities they have. I felt comfortable in that as a Premier because the departments were run according to the policies and directions set by the previous government, until new direction and policies are developed. We have focused primarily on trying to develop a team, a collective approach to understanding what our job is, what our responsibilities are, trying to reach out and develop with the MLAs, and now with the aboriginal and community leaders.

What is our vision, goals and objectives? What are some of the specific things we can do to move towards that together? I appreciate the comments the Members are making. That was the intent of the statement I made, to get as much feedback and input as possible so we can continue to refine our work. Thank you.