Thank you. Proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To add to what the Minister has said with regard to the impact of the amendments on claims, there is no impact in these bills on land and their claim. The government has had in place, since August 1985, a land-lease only policy in the western Arctic. Under that policy, as a general rule, Commissioner's land is only leased, it is not, as a general rule, sold in communities in the western Arctic, pending the settlement of claims in the settlement areas. These bills deal with land, as the Minister

pointed out, that is already held by municipal corporations. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

General comments. Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I recognize that these bills are important to the eastern Members. It's somewhat, at times, very difficult to understand the bill in totality when you're not on the Standing Committee on Legislation, but we've had a fairly good explanation in this House this evening. I believe the concerns, with regard to the process of consultation, with respect to Mr. Antoine's concerns are important. His viewpoints are important. The Minister made an opening remark to address this bill and we didn't get every word of it. Therefore, we may have misunderstood some critical points. I am wondering whether or not it's possible that this bill, recognizing that the act only came into place in July, could be deferred to our February session. That will allow for the consultation process by SCOL to go to the communities that are concerned. I know Members certainly want, with the land claims passed in the eastern Arctic, this addressed and we recognize that. It's going to be somewhat difficult but when we think about it, we're in the middle of December, it's actually six weeks away, or two months away, that we're going to be looking at this bill again.

The problem with our SCOL process, at times, is it doesn't go into the smaller communities. These laws that are passed affect the residents of all the territories. Even though we have a public consultation process, it's difficult to get out into all the communities because of the fact that it just costs too much money. At the same time, when bills like this are brought forth that are going to be seen to have a significant impact, it could cause problems with the communities also. I'd like to ask your indulgence, Mr. Chairman, if we could possibly either have a ten minute break and ask Members if they can live with the idea of deferral or find a method to give assurance to Mr. Antoine's concerns with respect to this bill.

Thank you. Does Madam Premier have a concern?

I'm just going to express this. I think there's an idea on the floor right now. In this particular bill regarding charter communities my understanding is that before these provisions could be implemented you have to be a charter community. There's a whole process of how a community becomes a charter community. My understanding is that at this particular time there are only two, three or four communities that would be in this category. Am I right or am I wrong? Which communities are there?

General comments.

Rather than prolong the debate, what I prefer to do is to accommodate an important issue of discussion with the chiefs in Mr. Antoine's area. We'll delay the bill and bring it forward again in February. That will give us ample time to negotiate -- negotiate is a long term -- but to discuss with those communities that obviously feel very strongly about this issue. Whether we'll each resolve is another issue but at least we will have given the process it's due course. I will make sure the department moves quickly, right after Christmas, to initiate discussions with Mr. Antoine's riding. That will avoid a lengthy debate tonight.

Thank you. General comments. Are we deferring this Bill 2? Mr. Gargan.

Mr. Chairman, I move that we report progress.

The motion to report progress is not debatable. All those in favour? Raise your hands. Please keep your hands up. Order please. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

I believe there was agreement that Bill 2 is deferred. Now we have to go on to Bill 3. Madam Premier.

Could we have a ten minutes break because there's some misunderstanding on where we go with these bills and what is understood. Could we have a ten minute break please?

Okay, we'll take a ten minute break.

---SHORT RECESS

Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Cities, Towns and Villages Act

This committee will come to order. Bill 3, Mr. Todd, your opening remarks.

I do not wish to proceed, Mr. Chairman. I wish to defer.

Does the committee agree?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Bill 4, An Act to Amend the Hamlets Act

Bill 4, Mr. Todd.

I do not wish to proceed with this bill, Mr. Chairman. I wish to defer.

Does this committee agree?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you. Bill 2, 3 and 4 are deferred. What is the wish of this committee? Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move to report progress.

There is a motion on the floor which is not debatable. All those in favour? All those

opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

I'll rise and report progress.

Applause