Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This past weekend, I returned to my home and held a constituency meeting. The majority of people at the meeting were union associated. During this meeting, there were concerns raised about the amendments for the Public Service Act and the process being used at this time.
Mr. Speaker, there is still a question out there that we, as the present government, are carrying on with old practices. Mr. Speaker, in my discussions with the people of Inuvik, I have said we, as a government, are changing the way we do business and I believe this will become evident as the budget unfolds. Mr. Speaker, right now, both government and union negotiators are starting to go through their process behind closed doors. The information is not getting out to the people and the information that is getting out is from a few --some of it true, some of it false --rumours, Mr. Speaker. I believe we can relieve the tension out there by getting information to the people.
Mr. Speaker, it was also mentioned by the GNWT employees of lnuvik that they understand everyone will be touched by the budget reductions. They do not want it to be a legislated process. They requested me to question the process. They stated that I would be doing them a disservice if I did not question the process being used. Mr. Speaker, it was at this point I stated, as Inuvik's MLA, that I represent everyone in Inuvik; employed and unemployed, union or not. As their representative, I must try to come up with a balance which would give everyone equal representation.
---Applause