Mr. Speaker, I wish to inform the Members of the Legislative Assembly that the Nunavut Political Accord, as initialled by the negotiators, was approved by Cabinet on July 9, 1992. I am tabling in the Assembly today a copy of the Accord. I understand that the federal government, with the involvement of the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs and possibly the Prime Minister, have expressed an interest to officially sign the Nunavut Political Accord in the eastern Arctic this October. I would be pleased to advise the Legislative Assembly as these plans are clarified by federal officials.
The Political Accord outlines the main principles for the establishment and implementation of the new Nunavut territory as agreed to by the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Tungivik Federation of Nunavut and the Government of Canada. It was negotiated in accordance with Article 4 of the proposed T.F.N. land claims final agreement. It deals with the powers of the Nunavut government, its institutions and administrative capacity of the proposed Nunavut government and its financing.
The Accord also provides for the appointment of a ten member Nunavut implementation commission to oversee the transition process for the establishment of Nunavut and to provide advice on matters such as service delivery in Nunavut, training plans and other transition requirements leading to the formal creation of the Nunavut government in 1999. I am pleased to advise the Assembly that the costs of the implementation commission will be borne by the federal government.
The Nunavut Political Accord is evidence of the cooperation and desire on the part of the parties, and particularly the Government of the Northwest Territories, to plan the establishment of Nunavut in an orderly and effective manner taking into consideration the requirements, goals and interests of eastern and western residents.
Thank you.