Thanks, Mr. Chair. This concept of election rebates was brought to the attention of the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures in the context of the report from the Chief Electoral Officer in the last election. There was a presentation made by an individual who suggested that this was something that should be done here in the Northwest Territories. Committee, at that point, thought that it was not something that could be pursued easily, that it was a big change to our electoral system and something more in keeping with, perhaps, the way things are done in southern jurisdictions.

I did have a chance to sit in on the committee meeting where the draft report was discussed, and I was certainly persuaded that one of the biggest barriers for women getting into politics is the cost of running a campaign. I think that this may not be the best way to address the issue, but it's certainly, I think, a viable option and one that I certainly support.

I don't support the amendment that's been brought forward by the honourable Member for Kam Lake. I want to thank him, though, for bringing it forward because I think it's got some debate discussion. I don't agree with some of the comments that have been made about the motives behind this and so on, but I do believe it's an honest effort to make sure there's an informed discussion and debate around this issue. The research that I've seen prepared on this would indicate that, if there was no cap, this would tend to benefit, at least in the last two elections, candidates largely from Yellowknife. I don't think that that really accomplishes where the committee wants to go, and I don't think it really addresses the barrier by having no cap whatsoever. I will vote against the amendment, but I will support the motion when we get to vote on it. Thanks Mr. Chair.