Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to use my Member's statement today to speak on the whole budget process that we just went through and Premier Roland's announcement yesterday during Committee of the Whole.

I voted at second reading to have the budget put into Committee of the Whole, because I wanted to have the opportunity to debate it. I said at the time that I would fight this tooth and nail for Inuvik and Arctic Tern. Well, we did, and last night and this morning I felt like I was in a brawl after five weeks of Committee of the Whole. But we were able to defer the closure of Arctic Tern, and it wasn't because of me. Although I played a small part in it, it was largely due to the letters that we received from the employees of Arctic Tern. They had a lot to do with my Social Programs colleagues. I shared the letters with them, and they committed their support. The biggest support came from the 11 Regular Members on this side of the House. Without their support — standing with me when it came for a vote — this never would have happened. I appreciate the support, and I thank you for it. According to a few of the e-mails I got from Inuvik this morning, they also thank you very much for your support.

Cabinet also played a role in this. This time you not only talked the talk, you actually walked the walk. We appreciate it, and Arctic Tern appreciates it.

We wanted to be able to save all the jobs, but we weren't able to. For those we weren't able to save, I apologize. But I'm confident that with your abilities and your commitment you will find employment within the GNWT. If you don't find employment with the GNWT because you are an affected employee, let me know. I will raise the issue with Minister Bob McLeod of Human Resources, because affected employees should be first on the list. I think we've already said that.

We fought the budget cuts, not because it was our job, not because we wanted to justify our position as MLAs, and not because of ads in the paper. We fought the budget and the cuts because it was the right thing to do for the people in the Northwest Territories. I said yesterday and I'll say again today — and I read it somewhere on the Internet — I believe consensus government does work. I think this whole budget process was a prime example of consensus government working. Had it not been for that…. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Unanimous consent granted.