I'm speaking to the motion, Mr. Chairman. The motion would delay the implementation of this bill. And, I'm saying that for the last three years that I've participated -- and I would like to think fairly actively -- in this Legislature, I haven't heard any problems that have resulted from lack of access to information.

If there haven't been any problems for the last three years, will there be any problems for the next five? That's my question in responding to this amendment, Mr. Chairman. I have not heard access to information as an issue in this Legislature. So, I'm wondering, what's the rush?

I also want to say, Mr. Chairman, that I would like to think that the Nunavut government will not operate in such a climate of confrontation, and such an adversarial spirit, that people will be required to use independent Commissioners to obtain information about the workings of that government. I would like to think that we won't have that climate of confrontation and that, in fact, information that is sought about public business will be readily given.

I suspect that the people of Nunavut, like my constituents, will not be clamouring for such privileges and rights, especially if they have to make the trade-off between housing, jobs, and social programs. Mr. Chairman, I think the effect of this amendment would be that the Nunavut government would not inherit this bill, because it would not be a law enforced in the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999. It would not be enforced until December, 1999 and, at that time, it would only be enforced in the western territory. It would not automatically be enforced by Nunavut.

Frankly, I'm hoping that the Nunavut government will be an efficient, lean, effective government, unencumbered by bureaucracies and expensive agencies that will cost a lot of money. I would just be as happy to see Nunavut start up as the Northwest Territories started up, without this bureaucracy and this office. If it becomes necessary in due course, then that government will have the option to enact such legislation, but I don't think it is something that is going to be required, as a priority, by the people of Nunavut. In any of the discussions I've heard about the Nunavut government and what we want to see in the Nunavut government, people are not clamouring for a strong access to information bill. That, so far, has not been an issue. Just as I have not seen it an issue in this Legislature.

I know it was an issue in the last territorial election. I know it was an issue in the previous Assembly.