Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have recently had the opportunity to review the Nunavut Implementations Commission's Report entitled, Footprints in the Snow 2. This is a 300 page document that lays out the framework for the proposed new decentralized government for Nunavut. Mr. Speaker, this extensive and thorough document speaks very highly of the Commission's work and dedication, ensuring that Nunavut gets off to an organized and healthy beginning.
The report covers such areas as telecommunications in Nunavut, recruitment and employment for the workforce in Nunavut, required infrastructure, the decentralized model of government, financial matters, the administration of justice in Nunavut. Mr. Speaker, the 20 year trek to arrive at this point has been a long and hard road for the Inuit leaders and pioneers. A large part of the dream was the potential for Inuit people to secure gainful employment and be authors of their own destiny.
In all of these small off-road communities in Nunavut, there is great anticipation and hope that the new proposed, decentralized government will deliver these much needed and wanted jobs.
Mr. Speaker, this brings me to my main point of concern. In order for the residents of Nunavut to secure the jobs there must be a decentralized government, and in order for these jobs to occur, there must be sufficient funding negotiated in the gross expenditure base to ensure that decentralization will, indeed, occur.
It is also critical that the federal government provide an adequate level of funding to the gross Expenditure Base to ensure that this is realized. After speaking to my fellow MLA, Mr. Picco, who represents the largest constituency in Nunavut and also to, Mr. Barnabas, who represents one of the smaller ridings, there is a consensus that this is not just an issue with the Kivallivik.
Mr. Speaker, the new territory of Nunavut is suffering in a number of areas, which I believe are all in some way inter-related, such as the lack of proper housing, health care concerns, high unemployment (in some areas up to 80 percent).
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.