Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, almost every day someone in this house gets up and reminds us that division is only 2 and 1/2 years away. There is a reason why we keep returning to this theme. Division is a massive process and we have set ourselves on a very tight deadline. When you mix it in, the priorities of deficit reduction and constitutional development in the west, the task seems even more daunting.
Given these circumstances, I worry that we will rush division. I fear that we will make ill-thought decisions and that the Territorial Government staff in services will be shipped blindly to Iqaluit. This would not be good for the Western Arctic, nor would it be good for Nunavut which is in the very early stages of building its institutions. Mr. Speaker, in my mind, for division to succeed, the east and the west will have to share resources, at least for the first few years. This will give the new government a chance to build itself and will minimize disruptions here. It may also build foundations for lasting partnerships which will help the two governments take advantage of economies of scale. Now as everyone knows, I am the MLA for Yellowknife Centre, and it would not surprise me if you are shaking your heads saying to yourselves, "He's just trying to protect jobs in his riding". This is true, but my vision is not that narrow. I want division to succeed, but I do not and I truly believe it cannot succeed if we try to do everything in the next 30 months. We must look at this process as a partnership process. Otherwise we both come away worse off for it. Of course, each territory will need immediate and exclusive jurisdiction in vital areas, education, health and social services come to mind as examples. However, there are many areas where we can continue to work together, at least until it becomes practical to finalize the division process.
Furthermore, I believe there are areas where we will want to work as partners for a long time to come. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.