Thank you. Now we will move to the third item on our agenda, Tabled Document 23-12(6), the Report of the 1993-94 Electoral District Boundaries Commission Northwest Territories.
This is an unusual document because there is no one responsible for it. No one will be responding to any questions. Perhaps for the benefit of the Members, we will take time to hear their comments on the report, having had a chance to glance at it and we will get their comments on record. For the record, I will take the opportunity to read the preamble into the record. While you are glancing at your copies, perhaps that will stimulate some thought.
Preamble
This commission was established under the Electoral District Boundaries Commission Act GNWT 1989(1), c.2. In December 1993, the commission was directed through a motion, appendix 1, of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly to undertake a review, specifically:
"that a review be undertaken of the area and boundaries of the existing electoral boundaries of High Arctic, Kitikmeot, Kivallivik, Nunakput, Sahtu and Tu Nedhe so that they may conform to the boundary to divide the Northwest Territories."
The office of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly provided support and administrative assistance to the commission in their deliberations.
A letter regarding the work of the commission and how to make a submission was prepared by the commission and distributed to the organizations set forth in appendix 3 and to Members of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly whose ridings were affected.
The commission felt that the public should be afforded full opportunity to make written representations to the commission. In accordance with section 8(2) of the act, the commission gave public notice of the method and time frame for making written submissions to the commission, appendix 2. The commission received only one written submission. This was from the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council. As a consequence, the commission decided not to hold any public hearings.
During previous hearings in 1989-90, the commission heard that the boundaries should conform to the land claims settlement areas. In recommending the new boundaries, the commission took into account the settled land claim areas which include the Gwich'in, the Inuit, the Inuvialuit and the Sahtu.
To the extent that it would make sense, the existing land claims areas were used to realign the boundaries. As a consequence, the recommendations affect two constituencies in addition to those included in the instructions from the Legislative Assembly. These are the Mackenzie Delta and North Slave.
Therefore, the total number of constituencies affected by the recommendations are eight.
The forgoing with appendices 1, 2, 3, and 4 constitute our report, which is respectfully submitted. The terms of this report, including the formal recommendations it contains, reflect the views of the commission as a whole.
It is signed by the Honourable Justice C.F. Tallis, chairperson; Ms. Rosemarie Kuptana, member; and, Mr. Richard Hardy, member.
That concludes the preamble. Any comments? The chair recognizes the Member for Hay River, Mr. Pollard.