Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated in my Member’s statement, I think there has been an incredible growth in our public service and I’m sorry to say that I believe that growth has been focused disproportionately in Yellowknife. Our government talks about decentralization, but we don’t really see it happening.

Mr. Speaker, in 1999-2000 budget year, the total budget for compensation and benefits for our public service was $139 million. Today it’s $294 million. Mr. Speaker, I believe, as I said, because the numbers are really hard to compare, I think I can say with some certainty that the majority of that growth has taken place here at headquarters. New positions should be the easiest to decentralize as they don’t involve existing employees that have to be uprooted and moved. The GNWT is expected to establish more new positions as a result of devolution. What is the process of this government for assessing whether new positions can be located outside of Yellowknife? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.