I have been redistributed.

---Laughter

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today I would like to make a few observations about the recent visit of the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, Mr. Irwin, to the Northwest Territories. Mr. Irwin was here for a short period of time, met with 13 or 14 groups and made commitments at each one of those meetings. I must say I was very pleased to hear of the commitment he made to the Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories. It was a commitment a long time in coming.

---Applause

Madam Speaker, I am struck with the level of passion, commitment and the speed of change that this Minister has demonstrated. However, I do have some concerns as to how these many bilateral commitments to a wide variety of groups across the territories will all come together at the end of the day.

I am sure that the Minister will acknowledge that north of 60 is very different from south of 60. The regions and groups in the Northwest Territories must maintain common bonds, strengths and unity. A fragmented north is a vulnerable north and could easily fall prey to the agendas of large governments and large corporations.

The government and the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories must continue to play an integral role in the negotiations leading to division and to constitutional development in the west. We must strive to be a unifying force in the Northwest Territories.

I personally believe that a strong central government, strong regions and strong communities will provide the political stability we need to provide for economic development and to solve the many social problems we have in the Northwest Territories. I also strongly believe that there must be a coming together of public government and aboriginal self-government, if we are to prevent the western Northwest Territories from becoming balkanized and fragmented into irrelevance. Thank you very much.

---Applause