Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will continue. My second point is in regards to the governments plans to start addressing division, as suggested that they have now finished with the cut backs and roll backs. They are suggesting here there is many very important topics that have to be addressed in regards to division. I would like, Mr. Chairman, to address this point from the perspective that last sitting we were here before Christmas, we in committee of the whole talked about the governments response to NIC, and the response put through here was from the government with comments from the Members.

I recall at that time that I stated I was reluctant to impose my will on the Nunavut government or people by suggesting what form of government they should come up with. Therefore I put forward that I would support the government's position provided that we are not going to impose this on the Nunavut people but rather as an advisory capacity. Now that was my understanding of our approach to NCI's Footprints 2. Mr. Speaker, since that time and in this budget address, the Ministers suggested that we are going to come up with a new model ofgovernment which would fit both the Nunavut and the new Territories. Now I am not sure if I totally agree that as a Member that has a riding that will end up in the west rather or not I feel confident in my self that I would be imposing my will, if you may, on the design for the government of Nunavut. I am always under the impression, Mr. Chairman, that this is the responsibility of NIC and I thought we were advisors so to speak as to what they would come up with in the end as far as a design for a new government for Nunavut. Therefore I am reluctant to, and I am a bit surprised, I might say, to find out that this government is in fact designing a new model for Nunavut which is in fact going to be a new model for this new western territory.

I am not sure if we have the mandate to do this and perhaps the Minister could clarify that from his point of view, but nonetheless as a Member I would be very careful whether I approved such a model for Nunavut knowing full well that whatever I wish on Nunavut no doubt applies to me in the west. In other words, if I suggest this is a good model for Nunavut there is no doubt that I am supporting this model for the west. I am not sure if I am prepared to do that at this point in time. I am not sure if I am prepared to have the government spend that much time doing this at this point in time. Knowing that time costs money.

There is no doubt, Mr. Chairman, that if I as a Member whose riding will eventually end up in the west and if I feel reluctant, not only reluctant, I feel that I have no business designing a government for Nunavut, I would suggest does it also not stand then that the Nunavut Members and Cabinet should be reluctant to design a government for the west. Let us not forget the basic principle of good government. You do not design something you do not have to live with. Since I do not have to live with the results of my decisions in Nunavut. I wonder just how much the Nunavut Cabinet Members have to designing a government for the west because they will not have to live with their decisions either.

I am not suggesting this as a possible confrontation between east and west but it is obvious that at some point in time this has to be addressed. In the east, we could say very easily that NTI, NIC and the new commissioner would be basically responsible for designing the government and a new model of

government if they wish. But we do not have such a process in place for the west. Although there seems to be one slowly shaping up. It may be that would be the appropriate way to go. On the other hand, we could just leave well enough alone. In other words, leave the status quo in place and let the two new governments come up with a design that suits themselves after division. I have no problems with that. I do not understand why we are trying to fix something that is not broken. I do not understand that. There is nothing wrong with the existing government that I can see.

-- Applause