Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the motion speaks for itself as to the merits of why this should be taken on. I want to thank the seconder, Mr. Jackie Jacobson of Nunakput, for seconding this.

Mr. Speaker, this issue is very important. I’ve been made aware through a number of sources that the Food Mail Program is probably not used regularly in the context of being used properly and as efficiently as possible. When push comes to shove, at times the good, healthy food tends to get pushed aside for the less healthy food. That’s a shame.

Although the federal government at this time is doing a review of the program, to my knowledge and research so far they’re not auditing the actual food that is being shipped up. Mr. Speaker, in times like this when we’re always worried about what type of food people are eating and whether they are eating properly and whatnot, we want to make sure that we’re getting the best value we can for this program.

Mr. Speaker, I won’t speak at length to this, because as I said, the motion itself clearly states that it needs to be evaluated to make sure it’s running properly. That’s really the intent: to make sure that things like milk, eggs, fruit and vegetables are getting to the people of the North at the best price possible. That’s the intent of the Food Mail Program: to make sure that the transportation cost is reduced as low as possible so food gets on the shelves of good working Northerners and they can afford to buy these types of things in that environment.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues and thank the Assembly for this motion going in.