Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, going through the process of the Constitutional Working Group and in discussions with the aboriginal governments, the position that we have taken here as a government is that there is a need for a strong central government. I put my support behind that position. I think that in looking at it in reality, even though there are a lot of aspirations out there through the whole process of aboriginal self-government, there is a definite need to have a central government in place, that is strong. The role would be to coordinate programs and services and to have standards that would be applicable to all the regions if we go that direction. I think that we have to work in real close cooperation with the aboriginal first nation because the political landscape here in the west is going to change in the next few years. We are in the process of negotiating self-government arrangements with most of the regions now. Others are ready and poised to start. There is a need to have a central government that would be there to deal with really crucial issues that are going to be rising. Thank you.
Jim Antoine on Item 3: Election Of Premier
On December 10th, 1998. See this statement in context.
Item 3: Election Of Premier
Item 3: Election Of Premier
December 9th, 1998
Page 6
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
See context to find out what was said next.