Thank you, Madam Chair. This whole process has been very interesting. I'm sure that anyone who is watching us perhaps via some of the communication, or will take the time to look at Hansard and the record of the debate this afternoon, will tell that there has been a lot of strategy and a lot of different options looked at to arrive at where we are going today. Part of that for me, Madam Chair, was working with Mr. Lafferty to see where potentially our two communities could work together or support each other in achieving the recommendation from the boundaries commission. As Mr. Lafferty indicated to the Assembly or to committee earlier, there was, indeed, support from his leaders to do that, and I know that from my communities this is reciprocated. However, the amendment that was just defeated here shows that there was not enough support across the Legislative Assembly for that, and I respect the decision of my colleagues and their communities in taking that position.

Madam Chair, I further respect Mr. Lafferty's move now to go forward and attain the single new seat for his riding that his people have asked him to work for. But it is with deep regret that I would say that I have to vote against that amendment, and the regret truly is that we cannot see our mutual concerns, mutual interests, satisfied here. In sort of straightforward terms, Madam Chair, the signals that I've got from my colleagues here in the Legislative Assembly this afternoon mean that even if Mr. Lafferty's amendment passes, I am prepared to make another amendment to seek a new seat for Yellowknife and I really don't think that will pass. So what I'm doing, Madam Chair, is reverting to the status quo, to the bill as presented, and that will be my position. Thank you.