Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to point out my feelings concerning the leadership of Mr. Stephen Kakfwi. Mr. Speaker, letters were sent to us as MLAs. Some letters were supporting the Premier. One letter said he should resign. Four other letters said they were aware of the activities. Out of all those letters, 24 letters were from leaders, from prominent citizens in the Northwest Territories. Not one of them indicated the activities in the Premier's office. Were they not aware of it or do they condone that kind of activity?

I was astonished to hear some of the things they were saying in support, ignoring all the activities that happened. They just threw it out the back door and want to continue going on.

As the Premier, Mr. Kakfwi is accountable for what happens under his direction in the same way that senior management would be held accountable for what happens in their department -- in other words, what happens in the Premier's office is ultimately the Premier's responsibility.

The fate of the whole Northwest Territories rested on one position, which the Premier has now chosen to deal with. The way the events have unfolded, it is the Premier's duty to make sure he knows what is going on in his own office. We expect a standard of our senior management and our civil servants. We must expect the same standards of our Premier.

It was the Premier himself who promised us open and transparent government. I greatly respect what Mr. Kakfwi has done for the North. He has brought forward the vision of our people. I believe Premier Kakfwi truly does care about the people. I also respect the work he has done for the past 20 years or more as a leader of his people.

I want Premier Kakfwi to know that I can support him and trust in his leadership now that he has cleaned up his office. He has chosen to do just that and I trust that Premier Kakfwi will bring back integrity to the office of the Premier. I believe he can do that now, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. I support Mr. Kakfwi.

-- Applause