Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I was speaking when we decided to close for the day yesterday, but I wanted to get back specifically to one response I was making, and there was a hiccup in the proceedings. I lost my train of thought, and did not finish my sentence. That was on a response to a query by Ms. Mike regarding Senate representation for Nunavut.
Senate Representation For Nunavut
I may have lead Members to believe that no efforts were being made to ensure that there was Senate representation for the Nunavut Territory, and that it was not being currently addressed. I want Members to know that, in the process of negotiations, it was always understood by the political leaders and officials that each territory of Canada would be given Senate representation. Both the political leaders, and the officials, were operating under the assumption, and the understanding, that we were going to try for generic wording in the Constitution that would say, basically, something to the effect that each territory of Canada would have, at least, one Senator in the reformed Senate.
In the closing days of the Charlottetown session, some of the provincial officials suggested that specific wording for each jurisdiction be the basis for the wording in the legal text, and so, there is understanding, politically, and it is agreed by officials that the wording for the legal text will be discussed and agreed to. The objective still is, with support from some of the political leaders, at least, that we will still try to get generic wording for that, and we will try to get specific wording to ensure that Nunavut Territory will specifically get Senate representation, as well as the territory that would remain, once Nunavut is created.
I wanted to Member to understand that, and I think that where the hiccup was yesterday in the proceedings, I did not finish my line of thought, and the sentence that I started. Thank you.