Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today a draft constitution for the new western arctic is being tabled in this House. This document is being prepared by the Constitutional Development Steering Committee, the Western caucus and Aboriginal summit. It is being presented today to the citizens of the Northwest Territories for review, this is not the be all and end all but a starting point where each citizen can provide input into the constitution that will govern our future. Over the next few months, we will be receiving input as to whether or not this draft is what the people want. I urge all, especially western MLAs of this government to make yourself available to your people, find out what they have to say, bring their input back, so that we can create a constitution that is truly reflective of the people that we govern. That, Mr. Speaker is our challenge, the real challenge goes to the residents of the Northwest Territories who will have to provide us with their comments and concerns. We need to hear from them, we need to hear what they like and don't like in the package, and what we can do to make this a constitution all and for the people of the new Western Territory. If we fail to create a constitution for the new Western Territory, we will be left with the NWT Act. Mr. Speaker, I think we are ready to go beyond this and can carve out our own future. Let's all work toward making this happen, for the future generation. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Seamus Henry on Draft Constitution Package For The New Western Territory
In the Legislative Assembly on October 16th, 1996. See this statement in context.
Draft Constitution Package For The New Western Territory
Item 3: Members' Statements
October 15th, 1996
Page 1175
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
See context to find out what was said next.