Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week, Members of the Legislative Assembly completed the review of the 2009-10 Main Estimates and concurred that the appropriation bill be introduced without delay. Later today, at the appropriate time, I will be bringing forward the legislation to enact the 2009-10 budget.

Cabinet is appreciative of the thorough review of the GNWT’s 2009-10 operational budget undertaken by Committee of the Whole. The detailed exchange of information and view has provided Cabinet with valuable feedback from Members on the budget measures and provided the public with a better understanding both of the fiscal challenge we face and of the priorities of the Legislative Assembly. This budget has been an example of how consensus government can work successfully.

Over the past few weeks, a number of motions have been passed during the Committee of the Whole review of the 2009-2010 Main Estimates. In considering these motions, the government has determined that these require additional time to review and understand their spending and program implications. We look forward to further discussions

on these issues with standing committee over the coming months as we move forward in our fiscal planning processes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.