Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to say hi to my wife and children back home.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Even though I just returned from home, I would like to say hello to my children and wife back home.

--- Applause

I would like to say thank you to Mr. Picco for sending greetings to us while I was in Inuvik. We did get a rise out of it.

I would like to make a statement as to what went on back in my home community of Inuvik. I went to attend the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy Conference that was going on; unfortunately, I didn't meet up with Steve. We crossed paths. I found it to be a good experience that the northern communities and countries ate getting together to set directions to what can be done, to talk of sustainable development. It's a positive thing to be involved with. I look forward to things coming from such types of conferences.

I would like to put in a kick for Inuvik that the people who worked and volunteered their time to put the conference on did a very good job. The Ministers were entertained in the evening by the Inuvik Drummers and Dancers as well as the East Three Reelers. I believe they enjoyed themselves. I would like to say that Yellowknife better watch out, we might take over as conference capital of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

--- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I, too, had concern with the bill during second reading and I voted accordingly. However, after this process, I believe we've gone through the process as required and listened to all parties and their opinions. I go back to when I was running for election to this position; I had many people ask me why I was doing it because they could see that there would be many things coming up that wouldn't be, as a government, good things to do. Changes had to be made, they said. The way the government operated wasn't good. I, too, think of the people who don't have a common voice, as well as those that do. I've tabled petitions here and many of the names of those petitions I know personally as friends. However, I know those friends have employment and they will continue to have employment if this is worked out. But I don't know about those who are unemployed. I don't know about the elders who won't get their housing or their elders' homes.

We've heard a lot around the table here and I believe, as well, that the concessions made are enough to make this a workable agreement. I think that we all have to face the reality of what's coming upon us. Each and every one of us in the Territories will know the results as the budget comes down. I think that as this goes by and time goes on, we'll see that we've made the right decisions. It won't be perfect and we won't make everybody happy but we'll have done the thing that was required of us to try to make this a better place for everyone. As I've heard throughout the talks in the committees as well as during the campaign, people realized that there had to be cuts and that they were willing to take cuts to have employment. Hearing all the parties involved say that they want to reach a negotiated settlement, I'm very happy to hear that.

One of the things I said earlier in my statement was a voice of those who couldn't gather together and didn't have the power of numbers. They don't have the ability -- the have-nots, I guess we can say -- to go to the government to make a stand. They don't have the equipment at their hands that they can circulate information that puts everybody against the wall. As I said, I represent everybody equally in my community and I've tabled the petitions that came my way. Today when I vote, I believe I'll be voting for those that don't have a collective voice. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

present two petitions, Petition No. 17-13(2) from the staff of the Department of Health and Social Services with 12 signatures going against the amendments to the Public Service Act.

I also have another petition of 102 signatures from workers on the UNW, I believe, not only from Inuvik, but Tuktoyaktuk and Paulatuk. Again, Petition, No. 18-13(2) speaks against the amendment to the Public Service Act. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, taking into consideration that all MLAs had input into the direction set by this government to reduce the deficit, we have to be conscious of the impact this direction will have on all the residents of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier, this government is changing the way we do business. I believe that this will be seen and everyone is going to know that what we are doing is in the best interest of all people in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, I want to read something that I write down in my book on a daily basis. It is something I read early in the morning. It comes from the Bible; it is Proverbs, chapter 31, verses 8 and 9: "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly, defend the rights of the poor and needy." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and honourable Members. In a previous statement, I spoke of coming up with a balance when it comes to representing the people of Inuvik. Mr. Speaker, I believe that we are elected to represent those who have a voice as unions do, as well as those who do not have the same voice as the unions: the elders, the children, the sick and the unemployed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I received today a Petition No. 3-13(2) from the president of Local X0019, Dennis Rivard, Union of Northern Workers. It has been signed by up to 53 people and it is regarding the amendment of the Public Service Act. They are requesting that it does not go through. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and honourable Members. First off, I would like to say hello to my wife and children back home. Sorry, I would like to wish my parents back home best in their quest to become the king and queen of the Muskrat Jamboree Festival in Inuvik.

---Applause

He's 74, going on 75, and he's trying to become king.

Mr. Speaker, today I bring into this House a concern with the selection process of the Arctic Winter Games. It was brought to my attention that during the trials, it has been said that certain coaches were using this process to confirm selections already made. Mr. Speaker, when these concerns were brought forward to me, I requested of MACA information on selection process, who was picked and the ratings given to all athletes. Up until now I have not received this information.

Mr. Speaker, what I am speaking about is to do with ice hockey. Mr. Speaker, I don't know exactly how much this government is spending on trials -- although I have just been given an update -- if the teams are already picked, what are the purpose of these trials? In this day and age of budget cuts and reducing funding to programs, can we justify this ongoing commitment to the games, especially since the process is not seen to be fair in its selections? If this process does not change, then I would have to agree with the Member for Thebacha...

---Laughter

...about the need for review of the Arctic Winter Games. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Finance. I would like to know what this government realizes in revenues from the taxes of alcohol and cigarettes. Thank you.