Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report progress on efforts to establish a constitutional framework for the new Western Territory. In June, the Constitutional Working Group released a report following its first round of public consultation last winter. The Round One Summary Report provided an overview of the first round of community consultations including areas of agreement, areas of concern and a working group response to most issues.
It also provided the public with:
-a legal, historical and political context,
-the principles and objectives guiding the working group process,
-summaries of four possible models of government for the western Northwest Territories,
-the purpose and description of a possible companion self-government agreement, and
-answers to some commonly asked questions about western constitutional development.
Over the summer, working group members made presentations at the annual assemblies of each aboriginal organization, as well as, board meetings of the NWT Association of Municipalities and the NWT Chamber of Commerce. Generally speaking, people were satisfied the working group had responded to concerns expressed during the first round of public consultations. In particular, they were pleased that the working group has adjusted its work plan to ensure the public is kept well informed and involved in the development of a new constitution. The working group is preparing materials for its second round of public consultations, scheduled to begin in January, 1998. Members want to provide the public with new information and give them an opportunity to further explore and discuss options before making a firm recommendation on a single model next summer.
Progress on a constitution for the west is closely tied to progress in negotiating aboriginal self-government agreements. Working group members are very sensitive to this issue. The materials being developed for public release will include as much information as possible on the meaning and substance of aboriginal self-government, the linkages between self-government arrangements and a future territorial government for the west.
The working group has approved a work plan for the period of October 1997, to March 1999. It is the working group's objective to present a final constitutional package, ratified by northern residents, to the Government of Canada before April 1, 1999. I will table a document later this afternoon which describes the Constitutional Working Group's proposed schedule of activities. The successful completion of the working group's work plan is dependent on adequate, long-term financial support from the federal and territorial governments. It is also dependent on the continued commitment and participation of western MLA's, members of the Aboriginal Summit, federal officials, representatives of the NWT Association of Municipalities and women's organizations. The Government of the Northwest Territories has committed over $200,000 to the Constitutional Working Group for the remainder of this fiscal year. It is anticipated that a small delegation of Constitutional Working Group members will meet with the Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of DIAND in early November to discuss continued federal support.
Constitution building is, by necessity, a slow, careful process. However, progress is being made, and with the continued support and involvement of the public, I am confident we can bring this project to a close in the near future. The people of the west will have a new constitution upon which to establish a system of government that can effectively carry the new territory into the next millennium. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause