Thank you, Madam Chair. Just for the record, I just want to state my position on this motion. I would also like to thank the Member for Monfwi, and I'd also like to thank the Member for Great Slave. I know they have been working very closely to get a consensus in this regard. I mean we all worked on it, but I'd like to especially mention them.

I think we're having very good discussions here and I have to tell you that given the will of the House that just has been shown where the motion to accept the commission's recommendation has been defeated, I think that the picture is quite clear, that the will of the House is that we will stay status quo, which is what is reflected in Bill 14. So having seen that outcome, I think now my position has to be that I will stay with the status quo and agree with Bill 14.

I'd like to state, once again, that my instruction and guiding principle here on this bill is instruction I've received from my constituents and the general will of Yellowknifers. I think most Yellowknifers agree that they do not want to see government grow or that Yellowknife needs another seat. However, if there is any increase outside of Yellowknife, there has to be a comparable increase to secure voting parity.

This motion I cannot support and I regret that I cannot support that. I would support it if the motion included an amendment to change the seating for Yellowknife and make voting parity possible for a Yellowknife riding, but that's not the case. So as it is written, I cannot support it and I would like to personally send my appreciation to Grand Chief George Mackenzie, Chiefs Lafferty, Nitsiza, Football and Gon, for having really done their job of letting the commission know that. Tlicho are known for their advocacy and I think it's a good thing. It makes their positions known on every issue wherever they go. They've done the same here and I regret that we were not able to entertain that, but I'm going to go with the will of the House and I will be voting down any motion that's not in support of this. Thank you, Madam Chair.