WHEREAS the Constitutional Development Steering Committee (CDSC) was formed to design, implement and guide the process of developing a constitution and structure of government for the new western territory, which will be created upon division of the NWT on April 1, 1999;

AND WHEREAS it is imperative that the western constitutional process continue in order to ensure the development, ratification and implementation of appropriate structures of government for the western territory by April 1, 1999;

AND WHEREAS on April 27, 1995, the 12th Legislative Assembly endorsed the 12 draft principles to be used as the basis to guide the western constitutional process;

AND WHEREAS this continues to be an urgent matter of major political significance in the western NWT;

AND WHEREAS the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, the Hon. Ron Irwin, has indicated that he has postponed his decision to provide support until the 13th Legislative Assembly has considered its approach to gaining public support for changes to the structure of government for the new western territory;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Iqaluit, that the Legislative Assembly strongly endorses and supports the continuation of the CDSC process to ensure ongoing public consultation and discussion and progress on the development, ratification and implementation of a proposal for a constitution and structure of government for the new western territory;

AND FURTHERMORE that this Assembly recommends that the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories continue to provide an appropriate level of funding to the CDSC to conclude the western constitutional process.

Thank you.