Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am going to direct my questions to the Premier today. A number of constituents have approached me and are very alarmed at the escalating costs of insurance, whether that be general insurance, automobile insurance. There have been some real upswings in the cost, anywhere between 25 and 35 percent, which is having quite an impact on consumers. It was interesting to note recently that this became an election issue in New Brunswick when the Maritimes were particularly suffering with high insurance rates and there was pressure put on the government and there was an expectation that the government would step forward with a program, so that the people in that province could realize some lower rates. So the province is now committed to getting involved in the insurance business.

In response to my constituents' concerns, I would like to ask the Premier if there has ever been any thought given to that in this jurisdiction? We are remote. It's difficult for Northerners to get insurance in other jurisdictions. As a consumer protection measure, has there ever been any consideration given to that?