Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak on one of the Minister's statements. It was a little difficult as I sat here, there was a flurry of Minister's statements that came across, being the last day that we will be in this forum it is disappointing that we will not have a chance to do many questions on this area, but sometimes Cabinet has a well-oiled machine and they seem to have gotten the timing right on the last day, the last chance to ask some questions.

My concern is around the fiscal update, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we were just informed by the Minister's own words that over a year ago we were predicting a surplus of $160 million and now we are looking at a deficit of $104 million for 2002-2003.

Mr. Speaker, that is of great concern. A number of us in this House, when we first got together, were very concerned about the fact that we, as a government, find ourselves in a situation where we would run out of dollars to operate the programs and services that are existing in the Northwest Territories.

We were told, and the Minister said on many occasions, that here in the Northwest Territories as we operate, Members are all a part of the decision-making process. Yes, Mr. Speaker, and our decisions are as good as the information we are provided.

Part of the sales pitch, Mr. Speaker, on adapting this fiscal strategy is the fact that we have so much potential out there. The economic development is huge in the Northwest Territories. The potential of getting more from resources through sharing of those revenues that are developed out of the resource development sector.

Mr. Speaker, although the prospects of our resources remain extremely high and bright as the Minister states, that is very accurate. The problem is we will see little of that as the government of the Northwest Territories and aboriginal governments unless we get the funding from the federal government.

We were told on many occasions in this House that that was coming, that things were happening. Unfortunately now, Mr. Speaker, we are told that even though devolution negotiations are ongoing, the fact that they do not have the mandate to discuss the fiscal situation of the Northwest Territories and in light of that, Mr. Speaker, it is disappointing and residents will not be able to see...