Mr. Speaker, the view that has been taken historically with regard to constitutional development in the north, is that in respect to specific aboriginal groups, it is those aboriginal groups that are mandated to represent those people in claims negotiations and constitutional negotiations, that we speak for them. In the case of the Metis, it is a bit overlapped right now in that the Metis Association has historically taken that role.

I do not think they are lax in their diligence at all, but the Gwich'in Tribal Council has taken the view that they represent all descendants of the Gwich'in, regardless of whether they are of treaty or Metis status. The Sahtu Tribal Council also represents the Metis locals of that region, and have motions endorsing the view that the Sahtu Tribal Council speaks for all Dene and Metis, in that region, in regards to claims negotiations, political, and constitutional issues.

As far as this Legislature is concerned, we have, at least I have, taken the view that we should give the aboriginal groups the comfort of trying to take some lead in these discussions, and not try to pressure them or suggest that we should have a larger say in it at all. We should take some comfort that it is community leaders, it is regional leaders, and it is duly elected leaders specifically mandated to represent aboriginal groups that are giving us some suggestions. That is what this draft work plan is.

I would suggest that the work plan is something that can be responded to, if the Member wants to make suggestions to that, and we can look at tabling that. My view is that it may be something more appropriately done as a caucus issue, since I sit in this committee representing the government, and Mr. Dent has been there representing the Legislature's ordinary Members. We have known for some time that this arrangement may need to be revisited, so that can be discussed in some context, as well.

You bring up the question of whether the Metis had been adequately dealt with or not. I know one of the Members of the committee, Mr. Dent, had raised the issue of whether municipalities are being treated adequately, or not, in this process. Whatever process we set up, it is my view, this community of political leaders is charged with overseeing the constitutional process much in the same way that the Constitutional Alliance had some years ago. We are one Member, or Members, of this committee not chairing it, not directing it, just being a part of it. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the work plan is in a very rough draft form, which, I think, is what the Member has in her hands. All of the Members of the political committee are going to voice their views on the context, the content, and the outline, of that paper as it is written. Following that, if there is sufficient reason to believe most of the Members are in line with it, then it will go to, I think, a committee meeting, and it would be discussed. I think if the Member wants, I can table a final draft that is going to go to the next meeting of political leaders for discussion, as a way to get input from the Members, then that is what we can do.

The fact is, right now, this Legislature is the one that has the dollars to continue the process, or to shut it down, because the submission is going to be made to this Legislature. I think, if the Member wants input at this stage, and she wants to do it here in the Legislature, then that is fine.

It is rather awkward because, as I say, the last submission that was made by this group was made directly to this Legislature, and it was abruptly approved with dispatch, as somebody said last week. I am not certain that this is the process for it, but I have no difficulty with the suggestion, and I would be prepared to do it. I just do not want to get into a debate with Members about what the process should be.

We are trying to go with the flow, and I think give them whatever comfort we can, to let them make suggestions on how the work should be done on the next phase, or how they think phase two of the constitutional development of the territories should proceed, the western territories. Let us say, that it is not Members of the eastern Arctic who are going to watch, with some interest, because it will not directly affect them, but they know that people will come cap in hand to this Legislature for the money. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the implementation plan and paper that described the approach this government wishes to take in regard to community transfer initiatives is being finalized to go to Cabinet, I believe, this week. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the fact is, in my earlier statement, I forgot to mention that the paper that is being prepared this week, will go to the working group made up of the Premier, myself, Mr. Antoine, and Mr. Koe, as was anticipated and expected by this Legislature.

Following that, if there is an agreement, it will go to Cabinet, and once approved, it will land in this Legislature as it was requested.

There are other papers that have been developed. None of them have gotten anywhere close to Cabinet, yet. They all have been reviewed, rewritten, changed, and regurgitated. Parts have been reworded, omitted, retitled, reorganized. New definitions have come in, but none of them, I would say, have come anywhere close to going to Cabinet because, I think, the internal working that has been at play here. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, all the work that the staff within my ministry do, and the drafts, come to my desk. They bring them up for discussion. They are reviewed by other senior officials within the department, deputy ministers, people from the central agencies, and there are many drafts and rewrites, and it is safe to say, that I probably have seen them all. I do not think they are all separate documents. They have been updated, changed, and rewritten on quite a number of occasions. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, if I ever did say something like that, it would simply be in the context that there has been no document that has had the approval of Cabinet, and is now in existence. It was probably the context in which I would have made such a statement. Thank you.