Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I have some general comments on the Tabled Document 5-13(4), Footprints 2, the Second Comprehensive Report of the NIC. Mr. Speaker, the Footprints in New Snow 2 goes the next step in defining and enhancing the vision of Nunavut on April 1, 1999. I congratulate chairman John Amagoalik and his staff for the detail and hard work that went into this final product.
The continued downsizing and reductions of this government has meant that job employment projects and other logistical areas in the Footsteps 1 had to be revamped. The product that is left, may mean less decentralization, this is a fact of the times and the NIC has reacted this reality in a very proactive way. Last weekend in Iqaluit many of the elected officials and Nunavut leaders met to discuss many areas of the report. The controversial issue of gender equality was discussed and after considerable debate, a straw-pull of the leaders indicated concurrence with the gender representation issue. The direct election of the premier for Nunavut and other associated options was discussed. There will have to be more consultation on this issue.
We also discussed the possibility of allowing a direct election in Nunavut before April 1, 1999 to allow the new government of Nunavut to be up and running on April 1, 1999. I support that position.
Mr. Chairman, Footprints 2 contradicts the GNWT in its plans, for example, to sell-off staff housing. I, too, have repeatedly asked for this to be put on hold in the Nunavut settlement area. There are other areas of departmental direction and amalgamation that are also contradictory to the current GNWT policy, but overall the Nunavut vision continues as enhanced by the report. As this government continues to amalgamate, down-size, reduce and lay-off employees, another update of the GNWT in 1998 and the composition of the Inuvik government at that time will mean more updates to the Footprints document. I strongly endorse Footprints 2 and look forward to April 1, 1999, and the next meeting in January to discuss the language and other issues in Nunavut.
On a personal note, Mr. Chairman, during last weekend's meeting/debate on allowing representation by guaranteed seats by gender, it was discussed at some length. I said at that meeting, and on record, that personally we should be voting for people's abilities and not their gender. But, I also agree, that a mechanism has to be put in place to allow greater representation for women.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chairman, many barriers, like support to the people running for office, daycare, and other issues also need to be addressed to get better representation for women in legislative assemblies. I voted along with most present at that meeting to support dual constituencies because I felt that we need to increase women's participation in public life. Mr. Chairman, I will be doing a mail-out along with e-mail on the Internet to question the constituents of Iqaluit on this matter, so that all residents of Iqaluit will be able to voice their position on this most sensitive issue.
Further, Mr. Chairman, I guess a slippage of my conversation and comments were heard on CBC Radio in the Eastern Arctic over the past few days, and I have had some messages and faxes and e-mails concerning my stand on the gender issue. I want to reiterate for the record, Mr. Chairman, that I endorse women representation, whether that be by direct representation or by guaranteeing gender seats. Although, there is some concern that at the federal level with enabling legislation for Nunavut, that the Act to amend the Nunavut Act may have some problems passing if we are guaranteeing seats. That would have to be discussed at the federal level, but overall, Mr. Chairman, I endorse and strongly support the position of having gender equality in the new Legislative Assembly for Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.