Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, it has been ten very short and hectic weeks since we assumed our jobs as Members of the Legislative Assembly and selected Cabinet. Since then, we have agreed as a Caucus that our first priority would be to develop a vision and establish our priorities for the life of this Legislative Assembly. This approach, I believe, was to set us apart as different from previous governments.

Tomorrow, we will be releasing copies of that vision and priorities, which we have labeled "Towards a Better Tomorrow", to the public. These are visions and priorities developed by all of us to show leadership and unity to our citizens, and to provide a measure by which they can hold each one of us accountable.

This vision of priorities will set us on a course of change to take advantage of the great opportunities that are emerging in the Northwest Territories. We can only do this if we all work together. I believe we have also agreed that change should not and cannot happen overnight.

Over the last two weeks, all of us have had the opportunity to review the interim budgets of the departments, including the Executive. By necessity of timing, interim budgets had to be developed to provide the necessary short-term funding to maintain programs and services to residents and to provide for the operation of government and the Legislative Assembly.

This provides us with time and breathing space to take stock of where we are and to begin to change course to reflect our current vision. We are already beginning to implement the road map of the 14th Legislative Assembly through the business planning and the budget that will be developed and reviewed in standing committees and this Legislative Assembly in June. While change will not happen overnight, it will set the direction on which we will be held accountable.

At this time, I understand there is a particular concern on the part of Members about the interim budget of the Executive. Although it will affect the ability of the department to carry out what we see as important tasks, we have discussed it. We have asked the Minister responsible for Finance to bring forward a motion at the time we are considering the Bill to make the necessary amendments as was agreed to last week, to reduce the Executive's interim budget by $100,000. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. I believe the witnesses are here. Sergeant-At-Arms, could you escort the witnesses in?

I would like to ask the Premier to introduce his witnesses for the record.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Once again, on my left is the deputy minister of the Executive, Ms. Elizabeth Snider. On my right, the director of corporate services, Mr. Carl Bird.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe the Premier made a verbal commitment that there would be a motion coming forward to delete $100,000 from the total. I just wanted to confirm that the Minister responsible for Finance will be bringing that forward after we conclude discussion. Is he planning to do that before we approve the amount under detail, or is he planning to do that with a motion at the end when we are reviewing the clauses of the Bill?

I will direct the question to the Premier, and you can defer it from there. Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe it can be done when we are going clause by clause.

Thank you. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the willingness of the government to come forward and make that offer. I think Members had expressed a significant concern about the growth in the Department of the Executive. Since we have announced that we have deferred $10 million in capital projects that are important to people for jobs across the territories, we need to see some leadership, particularly in the Department of the Executive. I hope we will continue to see that example be set as we consider the business plans and the full budgets in May and June.

I just wanted to express our gratitude that the government is prepared to come forward with this motion at the appropriate time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move Clause 3 (2) of Bill 6, Interim Appropriation Act, 2000-2001, be amended by striking out "$336,347,944", and by substituting "$336,247,944". Thank you.