Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With the date for the establishment of Nunavut on April 1, 1999 only about 36 months away, I'm becoming concerned that there are some very important questions, particularly about the financing of the new Nunavut government which we are not getting answers for.
As a Member of the Nunavut Caucus in the last Assembly before division, I want to be sure that there's enough funding for the Nunavut government. With Nunavut so close, we should know that the funding will be available so that the new government can do its job properly.
I was concerned when the Nunavut Leaders' Summit planned for Arviat had been cancelled this month because there was no one available to speak for the federal government to tell us what is really going on in Ottawa. I understand that under the Nunavut political accord signed by the federal government in 1992, the federal government is required to consult with the Government of the Northwest Territories and with Nunavut Tunngavik on the financial arrangements for Nunavut.
Later today, I will be asking our Premier if he has been informed of what the federal government is doing about the funding for Nunavut, and if our government has had input. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.