Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, the Nunavut Caucus met with our partners in creating the new Nunavut Territory in Arviat. Mr. Speaker, the partners I am referring to are the GNWT, NTI and the federal government. NIC, in its role as an advisory body to the parties was also in attendance. We will have to work closely with our partners to ensure that the financial, administrative and logistic hurdles are overcome, so that on April 1, 1999, Nunavut will be up and running.

Mr. Speaker, the people of Arviat were most hospitable and I personally enjoyed seeing Simon Sejjirak perform live for the first time.

--- Applause

Mr. O'Brien and the community of Arviat have to be congratulated on the first-class entertainment and administration work they put in place to ensure a successful meeting.

Mr. Speaker, myself, Mark Evaloarjuk, Tommy Enuaraq and Levi Barnabas stayed with Mr. O'Brien. I would like to thank him for his comfortable couch and good food during our stay. Mr. Speaker, returning to Yellowknife from Arviat, we had to spend a few hours in Rankin Inlet. True to form, the Honourable John Todd greeted us with much hostility during our lay-over in his community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I mean hospitality.

--- Laughter

--- Applause