Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wholeheartedly support the request of the aboriginal leaders to meet in committee of the whole.

We did discuss this issue in Caucus where we did indicate that we would meet with the Western Caucus initially. However, apparently, it is my understanding that the aboriginal leaders wanted to meet in public, and I respect that. As I also indicated in Caucus, first of all, I don't believe the aboriginal leaders have had a forum to state their positions or ask for their comments to be recorded publicly, and I think this forum of committee of the whole gives them that opportunity.

Mr. Speaker, we are all aware that we are going through division, and I believe that this request is part of our process of division. I know that, even though the Legislative Assembly as a whole consists of also the Nunavut Members, I believe that over the years, when they've asked for support from the west, we've respected their wishes and granted them the support that we could.

The current process now allows for the Nunavut NIC to be able to address the Nunavut areas that are appointed by the federal government, and they have a process developing what they want for Nunavut.

We also have the Special Joint Committee on Division in the Legislative Assembly but they do not have the mandate to address the political issues, to have the dialogues with the aboriginal groups that the aboriginal groups wants to set up.

As I said, I believe it's just a step towards adhering to their request, and I respect that.

Mr. Speaker, I think it's incumbent upon us, as elected representatives, to listen to the elected aboriginal leaders, whether they are from the east or the west, to be able to allow them to express their views, and I think it's incumbent upon us to be able to allow them to have the dialogue that they want with the method they want so that we are of assistance, because we are all trying to achieve the same goal; serving the people who elected us. As Members always state, in order to be able to work to serve the people collectively, it makes it a lot easier.

So with that, Mr. Speaker, I do want to indicate that I have no problem as the elected Member for Thebacha, with discussing the issues with the elected Members and the aboriginal leaders, being able to listen to their viewpoints, their advice and their comments on the issues that pertain to them, and I certainly would encourage Members to support our intentions and our motion. Thank you.