Mr. Speaker, the work that our Ottawa office is doing is trying to identify some of the areas that would be of major importance to us if and when the referendum takes place. I believe that it is everyone's firm opinion, whether it be British Columbia, Nova Scotia or New Brunswick, that the significant ramifications on how each jurisdiction is treated financially has not been looked at. I know that there is an intergovernmental committee at the Premiers' level looking at some of the effects of taking the provincial jurisdiction of Quebec out of the tax base on the rest of the country.

As the Member knows, and anyone else who is listening to statements being made, it is not quite clear what the intent of the province of Quebec is in terms of their obligations to the overall Canadian debt situation. We know that they have suggested that they would pay the interest, which got some chuckles. Most jurisdictions feel that this should be handled properly without undue excitement. We should not be putting ourselves in a situation where we are further promoting sovereignty. That seems to be the major concern.

The assessments we are making as a Northwest Territories jurisdiction include the implications of the Makivik offshore negotiations or Quebec-federal government negotiations could have on Northwest Territories boundaries arising from Quebec's claim to lands and waters in the Hudson Bay, James Bay, Hudson Strait and Ungava Bay region. This issue is of continued interest to the Northwest Territories, and our people are monitoring this issue as well as the disruptive implications of the Quebec separation movement for the Northwest Territories resupply operations, cost escalations and possible alternative resupply options.

Another issue is the implications which a national unity crisis would have on the division of the territories and the establishment of Nunavut in terms of delay and fiscal pressures. We feel that there will be consequences of Quebec separation for aboriginal people in Quebec and possible issues relating to the efforts by Inuit of northern Quebec to seek inclusion in the Nunavut territory.

Mr. Speaker, as you can see, there are implications to the well-being of the Northwest Territories. We try, as much as possible, to use our offices in Ottawa to keep ahead of the situation so that, if and when the situation becomes more real, we can have a respectable response. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.