Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS the Northwest Territories will be divided on April 1, 1999 to create two new territories;

AND WHEREAS the creation of a new Western Territory provides an opportunity to develop a constitution which is relevant to, and reflects the aspirations of, residents of the Western Arctic;

AND WHEREAS there have been a number of constitutional processes over the past decade which have captured the ideas of the people and the next step would be to prepare a draft constitution for the western Northwest Territories which people could comment on;

AND WHEREAS the western Members of the Legislative Assembly are committed to working in partnership to develop a draft constitution for the western Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS the western Members agree that the ad hoc group of the Western Caucus and the Constitutional Affairs Committee of Cabinet will form a joint working group with four representatives of the aboriginal summit to develop a package of proposals for a draft constitution for the western Northwest Territories, for review by the western Members and aboriginal summit;

AND WHEREAS there is a limited amount of time left to develop a new constitution for the western Northwest Territories prior to division on April 1, 1999.

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that when this House reconvenes on October 2, 1996, the Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs table the draft constitution package for the purposes of public discussion.