Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation. Could the Minister tell me if the Power Corporation falls under the affirmative action policy that is set up for the GNWT? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Finance. We have heard recently that the UNW has gone for ratification. The government has entered into another set of negotiations with the NWTTA. Can he inform us of what has taken place up until now?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During our break, it was nice to return home to Inuvik and spend time with family and friends, and take part in activities held within the community. Mr. Speaker, over the last few months, we have discussed just about everything this government does or is involved in that revolves around funding. Mr. Speaker, there are many people who go beyond the call of duty. They involve themselves in activities for the young and old alike. For example, Mr. Speaker, they help in jamborees, carnivals, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, coaching and community clean-ups. They are common in every community; even in times of fiscal restraint, they continue with their activities.

Mr. Speaker, they make our communities that much better to live in. For their actions, they might receive a pin or a certificate or sometimes a passing word in a speech. Mr. Speaker, honourable Members, would you join me in showing appreciation for their commitment to the people of the communities of the Northwest Territories? Mr. Speaker, to the volunteers.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services. We've mentioned in this House many times that our youth are the future. I would like to know if the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services has funding set aside or put into the new budget coming up for working with the youth in the solvent abuse area and drug and alcohol abuse? Is there money put aside for training of our existing staff and facilities that we have in place to deal with youth? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Premier. During the business plan sessions and earlier in the House, you've made statements about privatization. I've asked earlier but I would like to get more clarification on the question of privatization. Would the Premier allow the employees who would be affected by privatization, when it does happen, to have an opportunity to put forward a proposal so that they may remain gainfully employed or attempt to remain gainfully employed. Thank you.

Why is it that Yellowknife is used as a basis to judge the rest of the communities as to how much they receive for a certain allowance? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Finance. Would the Minister of Finance tell me why Yellowknife is used as a base for all other communities to be based on when it comes to the costs or...

--- Interjection

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Finance. I received a fax today from a concerned constituent. During the election process, I said I would represent everyone fairly. I want to make sure that this individual realizes that I am representing everyone fairly, not just by ethnic background. To the Finance Minister, there is a lot of concern, as you have heard around the table, about the equity of the proposed reductions. I have a concern here of an individual receiving a four per cent reduction compared to a co-worker receiving over a 15 per cent reduction. Is the shift of the government changing from providing a benefit for the family to providing it for the individual? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will save the greetings until the end. Mr. Speaker, we have been busy since the swearing-in ceremony. The budget process has consumed a lot of our time, so much so that the paperwork tends to pile up on our desks. We have run from one meeting to another and it seems that, at times, our focus is narrow and quite specific. Let us not forget the reason we first put our names to paper during the fall election. Many of us stated that it was time to change the way government did business. We believed we could make a difference and that we could represent the people in a fair and honest way.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that from time to time we have to get out from the paper that seems to surround us to, once again, look around to the people who put us here and the reasons why they put us here. Some voted for us because they believed we could represent their concerns and push to change the things that did not make any sense. They wanted us to bring common sense to the process that we call the Legislative Assembly. It is for those very people that we make decisions.

Mr. Speaker, during my campaign, I compared the process of government to a big wheel. It goes around and around. From time to time, it stops in your community. The people have a chance to voice their concerns. Something seems to have gone wrong. Nothing seems to change. It seems to be business as usual. Mr. Speaker, I put my name to paper to try to change this process, as I believe many of us did.

I think it is time to put meaning to our words; it is time to take action instead of just talk. I refer to the things we have been dealing with in the budget for the people of the Territories, as well as ourselves. I think it is time to take action. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause