Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I too would like to thank the witnesses for taking the time to come and talk to us today. I found their presentations very enlightening. I have some questions relating to the proposed constitutional amending formula on the creation of new provinces. As Mr. Patterson noted, this agreement represents a partial return to the pre-1982 provisions for the creation of new provinces, and would allow for new provinces to be created through an act of parliament. As he noted, I too welcome this as being a considerable improvement over the Meech Lake Accord.
Like other Canadians, all we wanted up here was to have the same entrance requirements for full fledged admission into confederation as all other provinces have had. Having said that, I do have some concerns about the rights and powers that will be granted to new provinces. Although Mr. Patterson said that this Charlottetown Accord creates equality for the territories, I would like to point out that even if a new province is created by an act of parliament, equal representation in the Senate and House of Commons, and full amending formula powers, would not be granted without unanimous consent of all provinces.
I would like the witnesses, and perhaps the Premier as well, to comment on these provisions in the agreement. Is acceptance of these provisions a reasonable compromise for the people of the Northwest Territories, or do they mean that we can never realistically expect to be full and equal partners in confederation.