Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to congratulate the Inuit leadership and all the people of Nunavut on the result of their land claim vote. These results which were announced on November 12, 1992, indicated that 70 per cent of the eligible voters supported the land claim agreement. The negotiations and now the ratification of this important agreement with the Government of Canada has been a very significant accomplishment, Mr. Speaker. It required a major commitment from the elders, the community leadership, the T.F.N. and the Nunavut membership of this Legislative Assembly. Negotiating and ratifying a claim is a lot of work, but even more work needs to be completed within the next seven years. As we move towards the establishment of Nunavut in 1999, I will be in this House for at least three of these seven years, Mr. Speaker. I will fully support the efforts of the honourable colleagues from Nunavut to work towards the realization of their goals. Likewise, I would hope that the honourable Members from the eastern and central Arctic will support us as we deal with issues surrounding the new constitutional changes which face us in the west. I believe

that if we work together we will see the emergence of both a strong Nunavut and a strong western territory. (translation ends) Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.