Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My comments are in regards to Footprints 2. I have the strongest feeling that Nunavut people should be able to create their government the way they want without influence and pressure from people in the west. However, I have to say that there is a reservation in my statement in that my statement goes as far as it does not harm the west and the capability of the west having a good government and maintaining the same level of programs and services as now.

I agree with most of what Mr. Miltenberger had indicated at the beginning. And the fact that we need a western presence at the table when people are discussing formula financing. There has to be fair and equitable finances for both territories. Also, we need a western presence when we are discussing division of assets and liabilities. And when we are talking about Workers' Compensation Board and NWT Power Corporation and Labour Relations. We also need western representation at the CCON table. The committee that looks at relations and impacts on the west.

At the same time, while I agree that the east should be entitled to form their government the way they want, we have to ensure that the present GNWT employees that are working in Nunavut and on areas related to Nunavut, I suppose they are primarily in Yellowknife, but those affected employees must be treated fairly and equitably. Many of them today, as has been stated by other members, are quite concerned about the fact that they are going to lose their job. We have to make sure they are treated fairly and equitably. Whether they are willing to move to the east or not for whatever reason, we must treat them fairly. We have to ensure they are treated fairly.

As has also been indicated earlier, we need to ensure that there are incremental costs and transitional costs for both new territories. This government is currently tracking incremental costs that are being spent for the creation of Nunavut. I believe it is somewhere in the millions now. I stand to be corrected. There has been nowhere near that amount spent on the west. We have no indication that the federal government is going to repay those dollars. Yet, we are very reluctant to spend money for the work that has to be done in the west. We are talking about fairness and equity. Well let's be fair. Let's be equitable. We have to spend money in the west as well. The Nunavut people want to have a 50 percent Inuit staff on their territorial civil service within a certain time frame. I believe we need that same commitment in the west. I believe that there was a commitment to that some years ago. But there really has not been much work done in that area. And now with the confusion I suppose that has been created because of the fact that we are trying to create two new territories as well as being in a deficit for the first time, I think that the aboriginal content of our civil service is going down. And it is probably happening without us really knowing it because of all these cuts that are happening.

I have to admit I have not looked at the new stats to see where we are at and probably nobody even knows because of all the different things that are happening from day to day. But I think we have to seriously look at that as well. With that I still believe we have to work towards a balanced budget this next year. And I firmly believe, aside from my reservations that it not affect the western government's ability to provide the same level of programs and services, that the Nunavut government should be created by the Nunavut people themselves. Thank you.

Thank you. We have Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to preface my remarks by saying that I have a lot of appreciation for this document that was produced, Footprints 2. I believe it is a very concise document and I think that the people of Nunavut should be proud of the work that has gone into it and the staff and the team that they have brought together to produce and approve this document. A couple of minor concerns I have with them and one of my main concerns with the division of the NWT is, what happens with our employees?

We have employees with a wealth of background and experience. As we look towards division, we have been talking about dividing the assets and liabilities of the Government of the Northwest Territories. Without question, Mr. Chairman, the most valuable assets this government have are not the buildings and the vehicles. The most valuable assets are the people who work for this government and the corporate memory which they bring to the programs and services. We cannot replace their knowledge of how these programs and services have evolved over time. To better meet the needs of all northerners, if we really want both new territories to get off to a good start, our people are the best things we can share with the two new governments.

In previous transfers, we have always recognized the value of transferring employees along with the programs and the knowledge they bring with them. This was certainly the case in the transfer of health and forestry from the federal governments. The people of Nunavut are showing an appreciation of that corporate knowledge by suggesting that there must be opportunities for the existing employees working in Nunavut. These are the people they know. And they have an appreciation for their work. The headquarters employees of the Government of the Northwest Territories also have valuable background and knowledge that will be a benefit to the people of both new governments. Just as we are willing to share the expertise of organizations like the Worker's Compensation and the Power Corporation, we are also willing to share the expertise of the headquarters employees.

We know that the politicians provide the direction for any government. The headquarters employees will do an excellent job of carrying out the policies and direction of which ever new government they happen to be working for. Mr. Chairman, the Nunavut members of this House have had the chance to work with many headquarters employees. I am sure if someone was to survey these members, they would find that the Nunavut members appreciate the efforts of these employees and their efforts and abilities. These members can recognize the valuable contribution the GNWT headquarters employees could make to establishing Nunavut. Some suggest that there will be a blood bath over the division of assets and liabilities. The fact is, Mr. Chairman, when we look at this question in greater detail, there is and will not be anything to fight over. As regards formula financing, as long as this new western territory as it is at the table, along with the government representative, the Government of the Northwest Territories represented by Mr. Todd, and reps from Nunavut, I see no problem in that regard either. Mr. Chairman, I support Nunavut in their desire to form their own government and as I say with the reservations and concerns I have in the dealing with employees and how both new territories will be funded, I would wish Nunavut all the very best and in the forming of their new territory. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. Mr. Ootes, general comments.

Thank you. Do we have any other members who have not spoken yet to items on the table who wish to speak now? If not we allow Mr. Ootes to carry on from here. Carry on, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In respect of the allotted time for the particular issue, I will be very brief. Mr. Chairman, how one behaves at home in the family setting, I think outlines that person's character. In the area of gender equality which I have not spoken as chairperson of Nunavut caucus, I will speak to very briefly. At home I regard my partner in this case, my wife, as a full partner. I encourage her to run in the community organization, Hamlet council, education council. In fact, I support her when she is running for different seats in the community. She is a member of the Hamlet Council in Pelly Bay. She's a member of the local education council in Pelly Bay. She is a member, executive member of the Kitikmeot regional council that is. She is also a member of Nunavut social development council. I would on the gender equality, that is my opinion, Mr. Chairman, is that I think the women should be recognized in the new Nunavut territory. We should do everything we can to make sure that they are part of the public service. How are we going to address that is they should have a seat in Nunavut government. I think it is still under discussion. But if the majority of the people of Nunavut wants to guarantee seats for women in Nunavut area, I would embrace that scenario Mr. Chairman. As we are running out of time, I will stop here. Thank you.

Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, thank you. Mr. Chairman we have just a few minutes left. I think to do justice, we should think about doing this tomorrow.

The House will come back to order. More items, 20, reports of the Committee of the Whole, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Steen, seconded by Mr. Ng. The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called all those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

-- Carried

Third reading of bills. Mr. Clerk, Orders of the day.

Thank you. By the authority given to the Speaker by Motion 3-13(4) the House will sit tomorrow, Saturday, November 30, 1996, at 1:30 p.m.

-- ADJOURNMENT