Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to acknowledge the Prime Minister's announcement of his decision to step down today. I know that Mr. Mulroney is not the most loved person in Canada or even in this Legislature. I know that my comments may be coloured by my personal party affiliations, but I think he deserves some tribute on the day he announces his retirement. I was privileged to know Mr. Mulroney personally. I have always found him to be a very engaging person. It is a shame more Canadians did not have the opportunity to meet him one on one. I was always impressed that he never forgot the name of my youngest child, who he met on his visit to Iqaluit. He always asked me about my son Alexander, even when I was meeting with him on important state matters. Those kinds of things are significant and perhaps mark the man's humanity and personal attributes.
Also, Mr. Speaker, while I was privileged to serve this House for four years as the Government Leader, I did feel that I received respect, courtesy and friendship from the Prime Minister even as we dealt with very difficult issues, primarily those relating to the Constitution. I know that there are many serious outstanding issues now extant between our government and the federal government today: the formula financing, the health billings dispute, aboriginal language funding cuts, et cetera.
However, today I would like to mention some of the achievements of this Prime Minister. There was a major shift towards devolution of powers to allow northern people to take greater control over their lives in areas such as fighting forest fires, health services, the Power Corporation and commitment to negotiate the northern energy accord. I think all of these represent progress towards acquisition of province-like powers and self-government.