Thank you, Madam Chair. To the Minister, I don't think anybody likes to be put into an insolvency position, but I think unfortunately you have been forced into one and that is my point. It is my deepest regret that if you look especially at the health reform policy that is introduced globally, we take a somewhat different approach. I think this is an opportune time to review where we are. As my reply to the opening address stated very emphatically, we need to look at some comprehensive reviews to look at some of the inefficiencies and remove some of those inefficiencies. I can refer back to many of your reports in the last four years that really indicate that there is a need to look at some policy reform, as well as an expenditure reform. I think that will be something that we need to really emphasize at this level.

I think politically speaking, from a constituency perspective, we have to deal with that issue otherwise we are going to continue, but not in terms as your statement says here at a 5.6 percent increase over last year's estimate. We must look from 1999-2000 and we are now in excess of $50 million in real dollars. So that is a contentious issue amongst your patients--if I may just use the word patients--across the North, and I think we need to look at where we can assist you by suggesting that we have to look at certain reform, and that is what we are trying to advocate here. I just wanted to express to you, Mr. Minister, that I understand perfectly well the deficit situation of this government, but if we are looking at an overhaul of our fiscal strategy, we need to have a look at the impacts that the health care costs have upon our residents. Certainly, as we go through your main estimates, I want to emphasize that as my critical point. With that, Madam Chair, I thank you.