Thank you, Madam Speaker. On January 17, in Rankin Inlet, the Nunavut leaders who were assembled there, including Members of the Nunavut Caucus of this Legislative Assembly, concluded three days of discussion by approving a declaration and three accompanying statements which were developed during the course of the meeting. I intend to table these documents today at the appropriate time, Madam Speaker, so that the worthwhile work that the delegates did at the meeting might be available for the public.
Madam Speaker, this was the second Nunavut leaders' meeting that has been held. You may recall that the first occurred two years ago in Iqaluit. The first meeting was prior to many crucial events, as we go down the road to Nunavut. Since we first got together in Iqaluit, the boundary plebiscite
was held, the land claim has been ratified, and both the Land Claim Act and the Nunavut Act were made the law of the land.
Prior to our latest leadership meeting in Rankin Inlet, the members of the Nunavut Implementation Commission were appointed and we were pleased they were able to join us at the table as we discuss how best we might proceed during the coming years.
Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Nunavut Caucus, I offer my congratulations to the new members of the Nunavut Implementation Commission, and trust that they will work in the spirit of cooperation with all residents of Nunavut in order that the tasks that we have set for them will be done in an orderly and competent manner.
The members of the commission are John Amagoalik, chief commissioner from Iqaluit, Billy Lyall and Joe Ohokannoak from Cambridge Bay, David Alagalak and Guy Alikut from Arviat, Meeka Kilabuk and Kenn Harper from Iqaluit, George Qulaut and Peter Ernerk from Rankin Inlet, and Mary Simon from Ottawa. I am sure they will prove through their actions the trust that we have in them as they bring forward their recommendations between now and 1999. Thank you.