Thank you, Mr. Koe. Mr. Clerk, please ring the bell. The chair recognizes a quorum. Mr. Koe.

Many Members have talked about taking the report and using it as a starting point. The last paragraph of the report stated that members of the commission are confident that the next phase in the public process of constitutional development, based on the work accomplished so far, would provide the people of the new western territory with a workable, affordable and acceptable constitution. With that, and hopefully based on their final round of consultations, that this is the case, that this report will form the basis for ongoing constitutional work, or form a starting point for ongoing constitutional work. I would like to make a motion, Mr. Chairman.

Please proceed, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi.

Whereas it is the intention of the Government of Canada to divide the Northwest Territories to create a Nunavut and western territory in 1999;

And whereas in the spring of 1991, a committee of western political leaders developed a terms of reference for a commission for constitutional development and selected five commissioners;

And whereas in July, 1991, the Legislative Assembly approved the terms of reference, appointed a sixth member and advised the government to fund the commission's work;

And whereas the phase I mandate of the commission was to research and review previous constitutional proposals, fund appropriate organizations to enable them to prepare and refine positions on constitutional development, hold meetings in as many communities as possible and otherwise communicate with and consult the public and complete a report which summarized the public's response and offered suggestions for principles and options for a new constitution;

And whereas the commission succeeded in fulfilling its mandate on schedule by releasing its report, Working Toward A Common Future, before the May 4, 1992, plebiscite on the boundary for division;

And whereas the commissioners reflected in their report the diverse views and opinions of the many northern groups and individuals who took an interest and contributed their work;

Therefore I move, that this committee expresses its appreciation to the commissioners for their commitment and hard work;

And further accepts the report of the commission for constitutional development, and refers the report to the constitutional development steering committee as a starting point for the ensuing stages in the development of a constitution and a structure of government for a future western territory. Mahsi.

Thank you. Your motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. Gargan.

Mr. Chairman, for the record I wanted to say that I will be abstaining from voting on this motion, basically because the situation right now is that in all other jurisdictions when discussions were made to constitutional papers, native people have never been involved, primarily because the fiduciary responsibility still rests with the federal government. I do not know what the political or legal ramifications are with regard to me as a Member in this House, an aboriginal Member as such, still having the legal authority to represent my constituency. I honestly cannot accept something like this without saying what this means. I am afraid that by me accepting this motion, it may imply that the fiduciary responsibility goes to this government and they will be the agent representing the aboriginal people. Due to the fact that it is unclear, I still prefer that I do not know why the treaty people are caught up in this process and were part of this process. It makes it difficult because we still have a relationship with the Government of Canada. Because I am unsure of what it really means, I will abstain from voting.

Thank you. To the motion. Mr. Lewis.

Mr. Chairman, I know there has been wide-spread speculation that there was a lack of commitment to do things, it was too complicated and too difficult. I think in defence of the people who had to wrestle with this over the past year, many people have been too wrapped up in other constitutional work that there was a real sense of fatigue and there was certainly a feeling among many constituents that they had had enough of even discussing it or talking about it. As members of the commission will appreciate, especially if you read the Bible, that to everything there is a season, and that perhaps this is the right season, the right time, and for that reason I will be happy to support the motion.

Thank you. To the motion. Mr. Koe.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to request a recorded vote.

There is a request for a recorded vote. To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour?

Recorded Vote

Mr. Koe, Mr. Antoine, Mr. Whitford, Mr. Lewis, Ms. Mike, Mr. Kakfwi, Mr. Morin, Mr. Nerysoo, Mr. Patterson, Mr. Pudlat, Mr. Dent, Mrs. Marie-Jewell and Mr. Zoe.

All those opposed? All those abstaining?

Mr. Gargan.

Thank you. There are 13 in favour of the motion, zero opposed and one abstaining. Motion is carried.

---Carried

---Applause

Does this committee agree that Tabled Document 3-12(3) is concluded?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you. I would like to thank the witnesses for appearing this afternoon: Mr. Paulette, Ms. Allen, Mr. Bourque, Mr. Hardy and Mr. Braden. Thank you very much for appearing in the committee.

---Applause

I will now rise and report progress.

Item 19, report of committee of the whole. Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, you committee has been considering Tabled Document 3-12(3) and the appearance by members of the commission for constitutional development, and wishes to report progress. These matters are concluded with one motion being adopted. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the committee of the whole be concurred with.

Seconded by Mr. Koe. Your motion is in order. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Item 20, third reading of bills. Item 21, Mr. Clerk, orders of the day.

Mr. Speaker, there will be a meeting of the Nunavut Caucus immediately after adjournment. There will be a meeting of the Ordinary Members' Caucus at 7:30 pm this evening, at 9:00 am tomorrow a meeting of the Management and Services Board, and at 10:30 am of the Ordinary Members' Caucus. Orders of the day for Wednesday, March 17, 1993.

1. Prayer

2. Ministers' Statements

3. Members' Statements

4. Returns to Oral Questions

5. Oral Questions

6. Written Questions

7. Returns to Written Questions

8. Replies to Opening Address

9. Petitions

10. Reports of Standing and Special Committees

11. Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills

12. Tabling of Documents

13. Notices of Motion

14. Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills

15. Motions

- Motion 24-12(3): Tabled Document 91-12(3) and Tabled Document 92-12(3) to Committee of the Whole

16. First Reading of Bills

- Bill 23, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 4, 1992-93

17. Second Reading of Bills

- Bill 8, Payroll Tax Act

18. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

- Tabled Document 2-12(3), The Justice House - Report of the Special Advisor on Gender Equality

- Tabled Document 19-12(3), 1992 Master Plan for Corrections Service Division

- Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Social Assistance Act

- Bill 17, Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1993-94

- Committee Report 10-12(3), Report on Tabled Document 21-12(3): Payroll Tax Act

- Committee Report 11-12(3), Report on the Review of the

1993-94 Main Estimates

- Committee Report 12-12(3), Report No. 4, Talking and Working Together

- Committee Report 15-12(3), Report on Tabled Document 33-12(3): Government Accountability: A Legislative Action Paper on Access to Government

- Committee Report 16-12(3), Final Report on the Comprehensive Review of the Rules

19. Report of Committee of the Whole 20. Third Reading of Bills

21. Orders of the Day