Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise today on behalf of the Members of the Nunavut Caucus to indicate our collective support for the government's transition plan for the creation two new territories-the Transition Action Plan that the Honourable John Todd has outlined in his Minister's statement and which will be tabled in this House later today.

Mr. Speaker, Members of Nunavut Caucus recognize that this plan is not, I repeat not a blue print for decentralized Nunavut government as proposed in Footprint 2 and agreed to by all parties. This is a concern to us all, Mr. Speaker, and to all our constituents that the implementation of the decentralized government structure is not the responsibility of the GNWT nor is it possible to achieve in the few short months remaining.

While we recognize that fact, Mr. Speaker, we also recognize we have a duty to the people of Nunavut and that duty is to ensure an orderly transition to a reportable, functioning government in Nunavut on April 1, 1999.

In the 18 short months remaining, we must move quickly within our mandate to establish as many functioning components of Nunavut government as we realistically can within the limit of the transitional fund provided by the federal government.

Mr. Speaker, in the absence of any other plan or direction we believe this government has taken the necessary steps to develop a realistic plan that proposes to do the most we can and the least we must do to ensure essential government function in Nunavut on April 1, 1999.

Of course, this is subject to federal recognition and remuneration of the transition costs laid out in the plan. Mr. Speaker, time is of the essence. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.