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.