Madam Speaker, as we move towards division, Members of this House realize that decisions that are made now by this Legislative Assembly, may ultimately affect what ends up in a certain part of the Northwest Territories after division occurs. It was raised a few years ago, by Ms. Mike when she was on the other side, about the capital budget, et cetera. So right now we are dealing with issues on a fair and equitable basis. In the meantime, we are saying to the federal government that there will be incremental costs as division occurs and we want you to be aware of them. There will also be costs, if there are aboriginal and self-government negotiations going on that are concluded. There are many issues that, as a result of federal government actions, will result in the people of the Northwest Territories incurring more costs, particularly through division, as Mr. Ballantyne points out.
I have met with Mr. Irwin and pointed that out to him. I have met with our MPs and pointed it out to them. I discussed it at 1:00 this afternoon with the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew. I have written to Mr. Martin and told him of my concerns about incremental costs as division occurs. The last thing that we will be asking for is a process in the next negotiations for the next formula funding agreement. That will be the one that divides in 1999. We are saying there has to be a process set up so that over the next four years these kinds of issues can be
discussed and some decision arrived at. Thank you, Madam Speaker.