(Translation) Before we begin, I ask Members to offer their prayers for John Todd and his family. As many of you might have heard, Mr. Todd's son, Ian, died tragically this past weekend. I also ask Members to join me in sending best wishes to Mr. Antoine and his family. Mr. Antoine's father is doing well after a successful operation last week. On your behalf, I thank Amber LeMouel for her beautiful singing of O Canada, also the Detah Drummers.

Welcome back Members to this special session of the Assembly. If Members will permit, I want to make a few remarks about the significance of the debate which you will be having today. Over the last 30 years, Canadians have had to deal with difficult situations where the unity of this country and its future have been threatened. These pressures go beyond what Canadians have come to expect when governments or people do not agree on a particular problem, and it takes time to work out a solution.

In the recent past, some Canadians have expressed their doubts about whether it is worthwhile to keep a united Canada, made up of all provinces and territories, including Quebec. On the other hand, on the eve of the October, 1995, Quebec sovereignty referendum, there were thousands of Canadians who took the opposite view and expressed their love for this country. Today Members will have the opportunity to debate a report and resolution on national unity.

I understand that Members have carefully considered the Calgary framework and have consulted with their constituents on how improvements could be made to reflect the interests and status of the Northwest Territories and its aboriginal peoples. I look forward to the debate on how Members believe a resolution from this Assembly should be worded and (Translation ends) what its objectives should be from a territorial and aboriginal perspective. I would also encourage Members to use this debate to state their views and the views of their constituents on what it means to be a Canadian. This is just as important because we all need to take time now and then to reflect upon the diversity, compassion, generosity and potential of this country and how fortunate we are to be Canadians, despite our problems. Canadians across the north and, eventually in the south, will be viewing this debate which is the first on any jurisdiction in Canada. I know Members will take this large viewing audience into account when making sincere and eloquent statements about national unity and this great country of Canada.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to stand down orders of the day to enable the House to engage in a special debate on national unity with order being reports of standing and special committees followed by motions and further that Rule 44 be waived for the National Unity Motion. And furthermore, Mr. Speaker, upon the question being called and the vote taken on the resolution on national unity that the House then revert back to the orders of the day and proceed with routine orders. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. The Premier is seeking unanimous consent to stand down the orders of the day to enable the House to engage in a special debate on national unity, the orders being reports of standing and special committees followed by motions. And further, that Rule 44 be waived for the National Unity Motion and further, upon question being called and vote taken on the resolution on the national unity that the House then reverts back to the orders of the day and proceed with the routine orders. Do we have any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Morin, you have unanimous consent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to present the Report of your Special Committee on National Unity.

Mr. Speaker, on September 14, 1997, the Premiers of all provinces and territories, except Quebec, met in Calgary to discuss measures which could be taken to promote national unity and the strength of Canadian federation. The meeting was prompted, in part, by a concern about yet another Quebec referendum on separation and the implications which secession could have for Canada.

Premiers unanimously agreed that the first and most important step was to conduct grassroots consultations with their constituents to determine their views on national unity and strengthening the federation, including the issue of Quebec's status within a united Canada.

Premiers also agreed on a seven point framework to help focus the consultations, although provinces and territories were given the opportunity of including additional topics and issues to accurately represent their constituents' interests and circumstances. Guidelines for consultation were also adopted. (Appendix 4)

Mr. Speaker, following consultations in their respective jurisdictions, Premiers agreed that they would have a debate on the results and a resolution which reflects the views of their constituents on national unity and strengthening the federation as laid out in the Calgary consultation framework with revisions to reflect special issues of interests.

In response to the commitment made on behalf of the Northwest Territories in Calgary on September 14th, the Legislative Assembly established a Special Committee on National Unity to oversee and monitor a Northwest Territories, consultation process, provide updates and analysis on the national consultation process, prepare a report on Northwest Territories' consultations and recommend a resolution for consideration by the Legislative Assembly.

The purpose of this report, Mr. Speaker, is to provide the Legislative Assembly and Northwest Territories' residents with information on how consultations were conducted in the Northwest Territories, the results of these consultations and recommendations on how the Legislative Assembly can express the position of the Northwest Territories through a National Unity Resolution.

The report also provides some background on national unity consultation initiative, including the latest account of what is taking place in other jurisdictions, how aboriginal interests are being taken into account and the role of the Northwest Territories in previous national unity and constitutional reform initiatives.

The Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly is the first in Canada to receive a report on national unity consultations and debate a National Unity Resolution.

Mr. Speaker, it is the special committee's intention to allow Members of the committee to present parts of our report. To that end I will now hand over to the Member for Hay River, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Morin. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Madam Groenewegen. In developing an approach to consultation on the Calgary framework with the Northwest Territories residents and the aboriginal leaders in both the east and the west, the special committee has taken into account a number of factors. For example, Northwest Territories' residents are already being consulted on a wide variety of measures relating to creation of two new territories and aboriginal issues like claims, treaty entitlement and self-government. A comprehensive national unity consultation campaign may only have served to make an already complex environment more confusing.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, the special committee has to take into account the costs associated with an elaborate campaign at a time when program and service funding is being reduced as well as the schedules and priorities of the Legislative Assembly and Members at this crucial time leading up to the creation of two new territories. With this background in mind, the special committee recommended that MLAs should take the lead role in consulting their constituents on national unity and strengthening the federation. MLAs were provided with an information kit to help in their consultations and a questionnaire was advertised in papers. MLAs were encouraged to hold public meetings to obtain input.

Mr. Speaker, in addition, the special committee made arrangements for constituents to send their comments and questionnaire replies to the Legislative Assembly's toll free phone and fax numbers. Input could also be provided through an e-mail site and through regular mail. Finally a special national unity page was established on the Legislative Assembly's web site for information on the Calgary framework and the special committee.

Mr. Speaker, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Antoine was assigned responsibility for consultation with the NWT's aboriginal leadership. In addition to correspondence with Northwest Territories' aboriginal leaders, the Minister met with the Aboriginal Summit on November 12th and by conference call on November 26th. Deputy Premier Arlooktoo assisted Minister Antoine in consulting with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated on November 28th.

Mr. Speaker, I would like now to ask the Member for Yellowknife North, Mr. Erasmus, to assist with presenting this report. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Mr. Ningark. Replies to the special committee's questionnaire was one source of reaction from Northwest Territories' residents to the Calgary consultation framework. As replies continue to be sent to the special committee, the following provides a preliminary assessment of the input received to date.

In response to the question, "Overall, do you support the framework?", the majority provided qualified support as outlined below.

When asked, "What are the elements of the framework that you particularly like?", there was support for elements of points 1, 3 and 4 of the framework which make reference to equality of Canadians and equal rights; Canada's diversity, tolerance, compassion and equality of opportunity and Canada's diversity of peoples and cultures, languages and multiculturalism.

Reaction to the question, "Are there any elements in the framework that concern you?", focused on the need for stronger references to territories as a unique region of Canada and their role in the national unity process. A number of replies also expressed concern about the need for references to aboriginal peoples which reflect the historical and current realities of their status in Canada, including their rights and interests.

Other concerns expressed opposition to recognizing the unique characteristics of Quebec, the need for more emphasis on the social welfare of Canadians and that the end product of the consultation process may not produce meaningful change or progress.

Mr. Speaker, next, northern residents were asked, "Are there other elements that should be included?" The replies confirmed concerns raised about the need for more references to aboriginal peoples and the territories in a National Unity Resolution.

In response to the question, "Do you think the interests of northerners are reflected in this framework?", two-thirds of respondents said yes while a third said no. In interpreting these results it is important to note that most of the support for the Calgary framework was qualified, while most of those who opposed the framework felt that it needed some fundamental improvements.

The question, "What does it mean to you to be Canadian?", resulted in a wide range of replies from residents who both supported and rejected the Calgary framework. In addition to the characteristics stated in points 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the framework, replies made reference to Canada as a land of opportunity where there is freedom, freedom of expression and freedom from oppression; where Canada is the best place in the world to live because it is vibrant, healthy, tolerant, compassionate and diverse in its population; where Canada is respected by the rest of the world because of its generosity, sincerity and ability to be unified in one of the largest and most diverse countries in the world and because it is a nation which respects, honours and affirms aboriginal peoples' rights and institutions.

The questionnaire, Mr. Speaker, also asked, "Does the framework reflect aboriginal views and values on national identity? If not, how should these values be reflected?" In the replies received to date, the response is split. However, it is important to note that there is a general consensus among those who both support and reject the framework that aboriginal references need to be revised to reflect the historical and current status of aboriginal peoples in Canada, including their rights and interests.

Mr. Speaker, the special committee continues to receive replies to the questionnaire and will be preparing a more detailed review for presentation during the Legislative Assembly's session early in 1998.

Community meetings hosted by MLAs were another approach to collecting reaction to the Calgary consultation framework. Meetings were held in Yellowknife, Hay River and Fort Smith. MLAs from these communities will provide more detailed accounts of their constituents' views in the debate on the special committee's report and its recommendation for a National Unity Resolution.

With respect to consultations with Northwest Territories aboriginal leaders, Minister Antoine was advised by the Aboriginal Summit that they considered the consultation and resolution process to be rushed. However, they provided some proposals for the content of a resolution. They also respected that this is a Legislative Assembly initiative and that western residents and organizations should express their views and concerns through their MLAs and the special committee. Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated indicated their support for the resolution.

Overall, the special committee acknowledges that Northwest Territories' residents have not responded in large numbers to the national unity consultations. Nevertheless, the questionnaire replies and reaction at community meetings have provided an important contribution which has helped to confirm some of the special committee's concerns with the Calgary framework and provide direction on the approach to a Northwest Territories National Unity Resolution. The special committee will continue to monitor and assess more input which is expected in the future. Mr. Speaker, if you would permit I would hand over to the Member of Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Before I move on to Mr. Antoine I would like to recognize several students from Fort Providence who came here to listen to us. They have also had dinner with me and their teacher is Margaret Field. I believe they will be going back to Providence before it gets too dark. So, I just wanted to recognize them. Thanks for coming.

--Applause

Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the special committee has developed its recommendations in response to the following considerations:

Northwest Territories' aboriginal leaders were unified in their belief that the reference to aboriginal peoples in the Calgary framework needs to be revised. References in the Calgary framework to the status of Canada's territories and their role in the national unity process need to be strengthened, especially with the impending establishment of Nunavut. Mr. Speaker, as the Legislative Assembly will be the first in Canada to adopt a resolution, the Northwest Territories' positions will be taken into account when the provinces and territories are preparing their national unity reports and resolutions.

The Calgary framework and resolutions adopted by the province and territorial legislatures will need to accurately reflect the spirit and intent of provisions of the Canadian Constitution respecting the rights and freedoms of Canada, the rights of aboriginal nations and the status of federal, provincial and territorial governments. An early response from the Legislative Assembly will also provide a strong message of support for aboriginal participation in the national unity process and the need for National Unity Resolutions which more accurately reflect the aboriginal characteristics of Canada, including aboriginal rights and interests.

The special committee anticipates that the profile of national unity consultations will increase as the provinces and aboriginal nations finalize their positions and debate resolutions. Mr. Speaker, it is too soon to predict what will take place after the process has been completed. However, the product could become the basis for an amendment to the Canadian Constitution relating to the status of Quebec within Canada and other measures which will promote national unity and strengthening the federation. As the debate on national unity and strengthening the federation unfolds in the coming months, it will be important for Northwest Territories' residents to know the Legislative Assembly's position.

A resolution by the Assembly will provide the Premier, Ministers and GNWT officials with the mandate they need in ongoing consultations with the federal government, provincial governments and aboriginal nations on measures required to promote national unity and strengthening the federation. For example, the Prime Minister and Premiers will be meeting on December 11th and 12th to consider reforms to Canada's social policies and programs. The special committee has identified the future of Canada's social safety net as a major factor in contributing to national unity and the strength of the federation.

Your special committee, Mr. Speaker, believes that its mandate is not concluded with the presentation of this report and consideration of a National Unity Resolution. As in previous national unity and constitutional reform rounds there will be further work required in monitoring how the national unity process unfolds in the coming months, reporting to the Assembly on developments and making recommendations on protecting and promoting the Northwest Territories' objectives. An early response by the Legislative Assembly will help guide the special committee's future work.

Based on these considerations, the special committee recommends the following:

Recommendation One

That the Legislative Assembly debate the National Unity Resolution contained in its report.

Recommendation Two

That the resolution serves as direction for the Premier, Ministers and GNWT officials in further deliberations on national unity and strengthening the federation involving the federal and provincial governments, Yukon and aboriginal nations.

Recommendation Three

That the mandate of the Special Committee on National Unity be extended for the purpose of monitoring the national unity process, keeping the Legislative Assembly informed and making recommendations on NWT participation and objectives in the process.

Mr. Speaker, that concludes the special committee's recommendations to the Assembly and I would ask that the Chairman, Mr. Morin, conclude the report. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The following is the text of the National Unity Resolution recommended by the special committee.

WHEREAS all Canadians and their governments have a responsibility for preserving and promoting a strong and united Canada for the benefit of all Canadians in all regions from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic;

WHEREAS the peoples, lands and institutions of Canada's Northwest Territories, including the future territory of Nunavut, comprise a dynamic and vital region of Canada; WHEREAS efforts to promote and preserve national unity require the meaningful participation of all territorial governments in any processes directed at achieving unity;

WHEREAS the Northwest Territories' Legislative Assembly supports the negotiation and implementation of self-government for aboriginal peoples in the Northwest Territories and elsewhere in Canada, to secure their aboriginal and treaty rights and aboriginal peoples' full participation within the Canadian federation;

AND WHEREAS the Northwest Territories has a unique character and status within the federation and expects a fair and equal opportunity to achieve the status of a full partner within the federation on equitable terms as referred to in the Quebec Resolutions of 1864 and the London Resolutions of 1866.

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories supports all efforts to secure the commitment of the people of all provinces and territories to the unity of Canada in accordance with the principles set out below:

1. The aboriginal peoples of Canada, being the first peoples to inhabit and govern this land, have the inherent right to self-government to safeguard and develop their lands and resources, languages, cultures and traditions and to ensure the integrity of their societies.

2. Canadians are committed to a united country to ensure a society in which all Canadians and their children have access to the benefit of Canada's prosperity, including quality health care, social services, education and employment opportunities.

3. The rights of Canadians are secured equally by the rule of law and should be implemented in a just, broad and liberal manner taking into account the spirit and intent of guarantees under the Constitution.

4. All provinces are equal under the Constitution, and together with the territories, have equality of opportunity to develop their unique characteristics in partnership, while respecting each other's jurisdiction.

5. In the Canadian federal system, where respect for diversity underlies unity, the unique character of Quebec society, including its French speaking majority, its culture, its institutions and its tradition of civil law, is fundamental to the well-being of Canada. Similarly, the well-being of Quebec is ensured by the Legislature and Government of Quebec having the ability to protect and develop the unique character of Quebec society within a united Canada.

6. A strong national government for Canada, and the historic flexibility of Canadians and their governments, remain essential elements of our ability to modify, adapt and renew our institutions and arrangements for the benefit of all Canadians.

7. Each government and legislature has, in a manner appropriate to each, a responsibility to ensure that these principles and precepts remain enduring features of Canada.

Mr. Speaker, that concludes the report of the special committee, therefore, I move seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife North that the Report of the Special Committee on National Unity be received and adopted by the Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Morin. Your motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed The motion is carried. Motions. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS all Canadians and their governments have a responsibility for preserving and promoting a strong and united Canada for the benefit of all Canadians in all regions from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic;

AND WHEREAS the peoples, lands and institutions of Canada's northern territories, including the future territory of Nunavut, comprise a dynamic and vital region of Canada;

AND WHEREAS efforts to promote and preserve national unity require the meaningful participation of all territorial governments in any processes directed at achieving unity;

AND WHEREAS the Northwest Territories' Legislative Assembly supports the negotiation and implementation of self-government for aboriginal peoples in the territories and elsewhere in Canada, to secure their aboriginal and treaty rights and aboriginal peoples' full participation within the Canadian federation;

AND WHEREAS the Northwest Territories has a unique character and status within the federation and expects a fair and equal opportunity to achieve the status of a full partner within the federation on equitable terms as referred to in the Quebec Resolutions of 1864 and the London Resolutions of 1866.

NOW THEREFORE, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nunakput that the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories supports all efforts to secure the commitment of the people of all provinces and territories to the unity of Canada in accordance with the principles set out below:

1. The aboriginal peoples of Canada, being the first peoples to inhabit and govern this land, have the inherent right to self-government to safeguard and develop their lands and resources, languages, cultures and traditions and to ensure the integrity of their societies.

2. Canadians are committed to a united country to ensure a society in which all Canadians and their children have access to the benefit of Canada's prosperity, including quality health care, social services, education and employment opportunities.

3. The rights of Canadians are secured equally by the rule of law and should be implemented in a just, broad and liberal manner taking into account the spirit and intent of guarantees under the Constitution.

4. All provinces are equal under the Constitution, and together with the territories, have equality of opportunity to develop their unique characteristics in partnership, while respecting each other's jurisdiction.

5. In the Canadian federal system, where respect for diversity underlies unity, the unique character of Quebec society, including its French speaking majority, its culture, its institutions and its tradition of civil law, is fundamental to the well-being of Canada. Similarly, the well-being of Quebec is ensured by the Legislature and Government of Quebec having the ability to protect and develop the unique character of Quebec society within a united Canada.

6. A strong national government for Canada, and the historic flexibility of Canadians and their governments, remain essential elements of our ability to modify, adapt and renew our institutions and arrangements for the benefit of all Canadians.

7. Each government and legislature has, in a manner appropriate to each, a responsibility to ensure that these principles and precepts remain enduring features of Canada.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Just a correction here in regard to the seconder, it should be the Member for Natilikmiot. The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. Morin.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour and a pleasure to rise in this House today to say that I am Canadian and I am proud of it. We as Canadians sometimes think that we do not have a perfect country. We think that there is a lot of problems with the constitution as it is today; but if it is such a failure, I think we are a pretty good success as well. Anybody that has had the opportunity to travel abroad to visit other countries are awful happy to get back home to Canada. Because once your feet touch Canadian soil, there is a sigh of relief and there is then, an ability to appreciate what we do have as Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, in early September we met with other Premiers in this country to discuss Canadian unity. We felt it is time that Canadians took the time to express from their hearts what they feel about this country. Is it worth saving? Is it worth fighting for? Is it worth working for? I think so, Mr. Speaker. I think we all should put that extra effort into working to save our country.

Mr. Speaker, some think that this process is a Quebec process. It is a process for Canadians and northerners to reach out to Quebec. It is not that at all. It is a process for Canadians and northerners to reach out to Canadians and other people in this country. It is a process where we can stand as leaders of the Northwest Territories and say to other jurisdictions throughout this country why we are so proud to be Canadians and why we are so proud of the country we have and to be a part of it.

Mr. Speaker, in September in Calgary Premiers agreed to kick this process off, but it is a people process. It is driven by the people, not only of the Northwest Territories, it is driven by all grassroots people throughout this country. We have the ability today, as 24 Members in this Legislative Assembly, to send a clear message to the rest of the country. I personally, Mr. Speaker, feel that Canadian unity starts at home, a united family. That is what it starts with. If your home is united then you move on to your community. We all know and we have all experienced what can happen at a community level if they are bickering amongst each other. They do not move ahead; they do not prosper; the communities stay stale; they do not move ahead economically and ultimately all the residents of that community do not have the same opportunities as others do that do work ahead together.

As a Northwest Territories, we know our only future, the only future that we can have is the ability of northerners to work together. If we can all set aside our differences as northerners and work together, you will see the north grow strong and free as it says in our national anthem. Recently, Mr. Speaker, I had an opportunity to speak in southern Canada just to give some people a small snapshot of the Northwest Territories. I advised those people to look north because the north is the shining light of this country. The north is the last frontier in this country. We, as northerners, are very fortunate. You can walk or you can move around the Northwest Territories in any direction and see the beauty of our land, see the beauty of our water and see the friendliness of our people, as a Canadian, a Canadian ability that Canadian people can do. As the north, we are the last frontier in this country and we have a lot to offer southern Canada. We have a great opportunity in the Northwest Territories as being the first Legislature to pass a resolution or move forward on a resolution to set the tone.

As Members see the number one issue brought forward is on aboriginal people. The majority of Members in this Legislative Assembly, Mr. Speaker, are aboriginal. The majority of the population in the Northwest Territories is aboriginal. So to us it means very much that aboriginal people have to be at the forefront and aboriginal people have to have full participation in any issues or Canadian constitution amendment in the future. Aboriginal people and northerners working together will make the Northwest Territories a better place to live.

Some say that you should not take the time to debate or raise the issue of Canadian unity or constitution. I know that Canadians have constitution fatigue, northerners have constitution fatigue. We all know that if you do not raise that issue, if you do not have a unified country, you have nothing in the end. You do not have the jobs. You do not have the social programs. You will not have the health programs. You will not have the educational programs. A country that no longer exists will not be able to offer that. Nobody should fool themselves, thinking that if for some unrealistic reason, Quebec decides to separate from this country, do not any Canadian fool themselves and think that it will stop there. It will not stop there, Mr. Speaker. It will continue and pretty soon you will have no Canada.

We recognize the unique characteristics of Quebec, their language, their culture. We embrace them and we want them to be part of this country. We want Quebec to be part of Canada. We will respect their culture. We will respect their language. We will respect their institutions. We will respect their government. All we ask in exchange is for them to have respect for us.

The federal government as well has a very important role to play, Mr. Speaker. The Prime Minister stood in this Legislative Assembly when we opened this building. He stood in our House, and he promised the people of the Northwest Territories that we are an important part of this country, and he promised that we would be treated equal in this country. He promised to the Northwest Territories' people that we will have the devolution of powers to give us the tools so we can contribute to the country. We still wait today for those promises to be fulfilled. I have full faith in the Prime Minister and the federal government that they will fulfil those promises. The same as they will fulfil their promises to other Canadians. That is what makes our country great. That is what makes Canada, Canada.

We are unique in the Northwest Territories. We have a lot to offer this country. We are willing to work in partnership. We are willing to respect them and we will do it, Mr. Speaker, in a fashion that has mutual respect to us. Any future consideration, any future work on the constitution of this country, Mr. Speaker, has to have and will have full meaningful role for the Northwest Territories as well as aboriginal people.

Mr. Speaker, I can go on and on and speak about Canada because it is the greatest country in the world. We live in this country with mutual respect for other jurisdictions. I am a lucky Canadian. I had the opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to travel from one end of this country to the other. I know people living in eastern Canada. The maritime provinces are unique in their own way. So are people living in the Prairie Provinces. So are people living in British Columbia. We all know we are very unique living in the Northwest Territories. So with that, Mr. Speaker, in closing I say we have mutual respect for each other and we work together as Canadians. We will continue to build a good country, a vibrant country, a better country for our children and grandchildren. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Morin. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when the name of the seconder of the motion was called, it was Mr. Steen from Nunakput. I am sure it could have been anyone from this House and anyone would have been more than pleased to second the motion, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, one of the biggest things that we have in this country that I am proud of - I am sure everyone in the country, everyone in the Nunavut area and everyone in the western area of the northwest area of the NWT is proud of - is their freedom, a freedom to move around, a freedom to be a part of any party you want to be in a country, a freedom to follow a religion of your choice, a freedom to choose the community where you want to live without having to use the passports.

One other thing that I talked to people from my area that we are concerned about of this country is what happens if Quebec separates. Would I be able to visit my brothers, sisters and cousins from northern Quebec without the use of passports? I do not know. Mr. Speaker, when I travel to three of my communities, there are times that the young people come to me and talk to me about the country. There are times when the elders come to me and talk to me about what we saw on the television, what is going on in the other countries. Mr. Speaker, when I talk to my grandchildren, my kids and my family, we talk about how lucky we are to live in a country such as Canada. As Mr. Premier, indicates we can move around the country freely. Freedom, there is nothing I will not compromise my freedom for anything else. I am sure that no one from this country would. Mr. Speaker, when we talk about the family, in the unity of a family, there is strength. In the unity of a family there is understanding. In a unity of a family there is a freedom to move around your community to another community to another jurisdiction. Mr. Speaker, every year we celebrate the 1st of July. What makes me proud to be a Canadian is that during that time of celebration, the 1st of July, I will see a little one, the youngest person in a community, able to hold a Canadian flag, from that to the oldest person in the community. Does that little child understand? Perhaps not because he is too young to understand. It is the eldest in the community to understand what it means to be Canadian. Perhaps that person is a little forgetful during that time, but they are holding that flag.

In most cases in our community, we talk about the country during the 1st of July. Every person who talks about the country appreciates being a part of the country. Mr. Speaker, before this session when I travelled to Taloyoak, Gjoa Haven and I am from Pelly, I was on the radio about what was to take part in this special session. I am sure because I spoke the languages of the three communities, I am sure people understood. There were times walking down the street that people told me they are proud to be part of this country.

Mr. Speaker, come 1999, we in Nunavut area, will have a Nunavut government. We will remain part of the country. We will be Canadian. We will be part of the country we call Canada. I am not going to make a long speech because I could go on and on, like Mr. Premier said. You know what really made me understand how I am proud to be Canadian? I had two occasions to travel abroad. One was to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and one to Denmark in Copenhagen. There were many people travelling with us. When we produced our Canadian passports, I could see the reaction of the customs official, hey Canadian move on. That is how appreciated people are from another country. We have provided assistance to third world countries. We have seen how the Canadian people will work together, not only to help the people in Canada but to help the people in other countries who are suffering. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Mr. Arlooktoo.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased today to speak on behalf of my constituency, the residents of Baffin South in the communities of Sanikiluaq, Kimmirut and Cape Dorset are proud to be Canadians. I am proud to be a Canadian. I would like to say thank you to Members of our Special Committee on Unity. I support strongly the contributions of our Legislative Assembly in sending a message to the rest of Canada and especially Quebec that we believe in a united Canada. Many of my constituents have told me that they are proud to be part of a country with so many different geographies and cultures, where health care is available to all Canadians, where there are social programs to protect the vulnerable and a national government that is working to meet its historical obligations to aboriginal people.

Mr. Speaker, the people in my constituency have a special relationship with the residents of Quebec. We share health services, educational facilities, transportation links through air and marine shipping. These are critical services that are necessary for my constituency and we have many years of good working relationships with the province of Quebec. There are also family, marital and personal ties between the communities I represent and the people of northern Quebec in the Nunavik region. I was in a meeting two weeks ago in Cape Dorset where an agreement was reached to co-manage several islands in the Hudson Strait. The Islands of Nottingham, and Salisbury south of Cape Dorset are rich in polar bear, walrus and beluga and will be managed 50 percent by Nunavut residents and 50 percent by the residents of Nunavik, northern Quebec.(Translation ends)

Mr. Speaker, my closest neighbours in Baffin South are not the Keewatin or the Kitikmeot, but the people of Nunavik in northern Quebec. Nunavik covers the top third of Quebec and part of Labrador. Eight thousand fellow Inuit live in these 16 communities. As their leader, and my friend, Mr. Zebedee Nungak has said many times, the people of Nunavik want to live in a united Canada. In two consecutive referendums the Inuit of Nunavik have voted 95 percent in favour of staying in Canada.

Mr. Speaker, when the inevitable next Quebec referendum happens, I hope that resident in that province vote once and for all to stay in Canada. We do not want to see our brothers and sisters of Nunavik living in another country. In the past there have been suggestions of joining Nunavut and Nunavik to make one Territory in the event of separation. Although this idea is appealing to me, personally, it is premature to discuss at all at this point. Let us not assume that Quebecers will decide to leave Canada, rather let us put our energies into trying to convince them that this important part of Canada has a critical and welcome place in our national family.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, this Legislative Assembly is now deeply involved in division of the Northwest Territories, the creation of Nunavut, the final realization of our homemade government for the people of the eastern Arctic. This is a great example of how strong confederation can accommodate a range of historical and cultural realities. I believe we need a strong unified country to face the challenges ahead in creating a new territory and taking our place as one of the best countries in the world and with that, Mr. Speaker, I will be most pleased to vote in favour of the resolution.

--Applause

Thank you. I do not know how long Members will be talking to the motion, but how soon do we get to the orders of the day, I do not know, I would like to recognize in the gallery, Chief Rita Cli of Liidli'Koe First Nations. Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also wish to support this resolution because I am proud to be a Canadian. I think it is the best country in the world to live in. Our children can grow up healthy and get a good education and our elders get pensions and are looked after in their old age. Whether a person is aboriginal or non-aboriginal, it does not matter because we can all be united in our pride of being a Canadian. We, in the north, know that the community is stronger than the individual, that by working together we are stronger as people. Mr. Speaker, to the people of Quebec, stay with Canada, stay part of the Canadian community. We Inuit are going to get the government we want in Nunavut and stay in Canada. I know that Quebec can do the same. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Thank you, Mr. Evaloarjuk. To the motion. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you. To the motion. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, the opportunity for the people of the Northwest Territories to give our views on the Calgary Declaration and Canadian unity comes at a unique time. In less than 500 days, this territory will be divided into two. The dreams and aspirations of the people of Nunavut will at long last be fulfilled.

Within this context, the Calgary Declaration and the national unity question becomes opportunity. On April 1st, 1999, the map of Canada will be redrawn for the first time in 50 years. It will have been 50 years ago that Newfoundland and Labrador joined Canada and created a country from sea to sea to sea.

I have always been proud of my roots. My family was originally from the Island of Jersey. We are of a Norman-French background. My family has lived and continues to live in the same community, Portugal Cove, Newfoundland since the 1700's. My wife is an Inuk, from Clyde River and her ancestors have lived here for thousands of years. At our home in Iqaluit, we fly the Canadian, the Northwest Territories and the Newfoundland flags to demonstrate and celebrate our roots.

Iqaluit, my home and constituency, where my three children were born is unique. It has a large and active Francophone population. It is the largest Inuit community in Canada. The diversity of Iqaluit and our sense of community is a good model that Canadians could take a lesson from.

Mr. Speaker, the national unity question has been a political football in this country for most of the past 30 years. The election of the PQ in Quebec in 1976, the Meech Lake and Charlottetown Accords and the recent referendum in Quebec have held national attention. Many non-Quebecers asked, "What does Quebec want? When will the question of national unity be finally be put aside?" The apathy surrounding the responses to the Calgary Declaration demonstrates that the Canadian public, I feel are becoming tired of the debate.

Mr. Speaker, bread and butter issues of affordable housing, of jobs and our standard of living are first and foremost on much of the Canadian electorate and residents of the Northwest Territories' minds. That does not mean we are not concerned or interested in a national unity question. The Calgary Declaration agreed to by the nine premiers and the two territorial leaders, tries to give a framework of understanding of the question. However, the issue of the status of aboriginal peoples and their part in the Canadian federation seems to have been overlooked. The majority of the responses from my constituency and the territories as a whole, indicate this. Even though the Northwest Territories takes on almost one-third the land mass of Canada, main line Canadian thinking tends to be east-west and not north-south. Our motion has addressed this issue.

As a Canadian, I have had the opportunity to visit many areas of our beautiful country. I have visited Quebec and enjoyed the hospitality and friendliness of Quebecers.

Mr. Speaker, the Quebec fact in Canada should be celebrated and acknowledged. It has a unique character and culture. It is, I believe, recognized coast to coast to coast. The Canadian federation allows for this diversity and it is demonstrated everywhere you look. If you travel to Grise Fjord, the north-most community in the country, if you travel to St. John's, if you visit Vancouver as examples; all foods, general goods, et cetera, are in French and English. That is unique.

During the second world war at one of the notorious prison camps, refugees were forced to turn over their worldly goods, which was piled in a section of the camp. Mr. Speaker, the refugees, the interned people, called that pile of goods Canada. The reason being, it represented the best, something to strive for and achieve. Let us as Canadians, keep our country together without favouring a region or people over one or the other. All Canadians should and do have the same rights and responsibilities. As Canadians we are unique and we do not need declarations to tell us so. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a Canadian and a northerner and from the feedback from my constituents from Iqaluit, they also demonstrated that fact.

The Calgary Declaration does have some shortcomings, but, hopefully, it will move the national unity debate to the next stage. Finally, as a country, we will be able to move ahead, united from sea to sea to sea. I will be supporting the motion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Picco. To the motion. Mr. Barnabas.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be speaking in Inuktitut. I am also proud to be a Canadian from the Northwest Territories and an aboriginal. I am representing people from two communities who are originally from northern Quebec and I believe they would be affected by the separation of Quebec. If they wanted to go and visit their relatives in northern Quebec, they would be affected, where they would have to use passports to visit them.

The people that were transferred to high Arctic...(Translation ends).

The people from northern Quebec and people from the high Arctic area have to be united in order to survive in the harsh country of ours, especially in the northern high Arctic because there are no trees and of the way they are living was different. Because they were moved into the high Arctic, Mr. Speaker, the recognition of Canada is of a vast majority in the high Arctic, a massive land included in Canada.

I am sure if there is a border for Canada or if Quebec separated, the people from my riding would live in a really hard place, socially, economically and family-wise. Mr. Speaker, in Canada we live in a very peaceful, united country. For example, when we listen to our federal government Cabinet and when they are discussing wars, we recognize all over the world, internationally, Canada is recognized as a peace-Canada. They are always awarded for providing peace in the world. If Quebec is separated, I do not think there would be a harsh, I think there would be a lot of problems in Canada, especially for my representatives.

Mr. Speaker, (Translation) I too, would like to say that I would like to see Quebec stay in Canada and work together with Quebec and work in unity. For instance, we have worked together in Canada and if Quebec separated, this unity would be destroyed. For this reason, I will support this motion and I would like to thank the special committee that worked on this national unity, who had prepared the questionnaires and work that had to be done. Thank you. (Translation ends)

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Barnabas. To the motion Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. To the motion. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to support the National Unity Resolution. Today, Mr. Speaker, I rise to the challenge of unity for our great nation. In my constituency, we have a number of individuals who have over years fought in the two world wars and numerous other peace initiatives across the world to ensure our way of life in Canada is preserved. We, as a community, are proud of their efforts and feel this is what helps to distinguish us as Canadians from every other nation.

Locally, we do not talk about national unity every day. It is one of those issues that we take for granted. Being Canadian means freedom. It means being flexible. It means to be open for discussions. It means to compromise. We have strong values but at the same time, able to listen and learn. We are the peacekeepers of the world. This provides us with the great abilities to go where no other country can go. Because of the vast distances between our communities, both territorial and nationally, we do have problems. We hear eastern Canada talking about their problems, Quebec talking about theirs and the west talking of theirs. This makes for a very effective country as we have today. We need to use our skills that have proven throughout the world to make peace at home. The time is right. Let us go forward in the spirit of unity to provide a united country that speaks in one voice to our nation and to the world. To ensure our children have the same freedoms and the way of life we have today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Rabesca. To the motion. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members of this Assembly were asked to host meetings in their communities on the issue of national unity, following the Calgary Declaration adopted by the Premiers of Canada. Along with my fellow MLAs in Yellowknife, we hosted a well publicized meeting of constituencies to gain their views on this declaration. While we did receive valuable input and opinions from the handful of people who attended, it was a disappointing turnout. The turnout reaffirmed my opinion that national unity is not an issue of urgent relevance, at least not to the people in my constituency. There are currently other issues facing the people of the Northwest Territories which will have a direct impact on their future.

The main ones being the division of the territories, the creation of jobs, the price of gold. These are issues that effects their lives on a daily basis. The question of national unity seems much further away, and there is a commonality among the opinions of my constituency that people are together on national unity.

Mr. Speaker, I came to this country 27 years ago. Like me, a large percentage of present day Canadians were born elsewhere. It is from that perspective I wish that all Canadians from coast to coast to coast could say plain and simple, "I love Canada".

Mr. Speaker, I do not find it acceptable that I should have conditions on that love. Love is or should be unconditional. It is not an acceptable position to love Canada if I need something in return for that love. The late John Fitzgerald Kennedy's statement, which stated, "Ask not what my country can do for me but what I can do for my country."

Mr. Speaker, we can learn from that statement. It applies equally well to Canada as John Fitzgerald Kennedy's statement applied to the United States. Mr. Speaker, Canada gives each one of its citizens a quality of life that is the envy of the rest of the world, which is why we were voted the best country in the world to live in for a number of years. All Canadians have the obligation to ensure that Canada continues as it is today, a strong, free and vibrant prosperous community. Yes, Mr. Speaker, I love Canada. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Henry. To the motion. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Canada is a huge country. There are ten provinces and two territories. April 1, 1999, a new territory will be created of Nunavut and we are speaking today on Canadian unity. What I would like to say is that Quebec, Quebec would like to separate. I would like to say something on that. They are speaking of a referendum so they could separate. We are trying to gather all the information about how Canadian citizens feel about Canada.

There are many lands in Canada. Canada is the envy of a lot of people. They respect Canada and Canada is a good place to raise your children. I have travelled overseas and I am anxious to return to Canada. When I return to Canada, I am overjoyed to come back. The Northwest Territories is a good place to live but there are many things that we have to work at yet. It is only by working together that we can overcome these difficulties. (Translation ends)

Canada is a very good place to live, although there are problems within our country, and I would like to believe that in Canada, we try to resolve our internal problems. That requires cooperation and coordination internally to try to resolve the existing outstanding problems we are trying to deal with. With that in mind, one of the major objectives of the NWT Resolution is to make sure that aboriginal people and their rights and interests are recognized. From the NWT's prospective, a key element of promoting national unity and preserving the federation is recognizing the aboriginal character of Canada. This means that aboriginal people were the first to inhabit and govern this country and they have special land, treaty and self-government rights that are protected by the constitution to date.

Recognition also means that aboriginal people and their governments or organizations need to be part of any process relating to national unity and the strengthening of this federation. On November 18th, the Premier and I attended the meeting between premiers and national aboriginal leaders representing the Assembly of First Nations, the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, the Metis National Council, the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada and the Native Women's Association of Canada. The aboriginal leaders were very forceful and effective in making a case for aboriginal involvement in the current national unity process. As a result, Premiers agreed that a framework prepared by the aboriginal leaders to govern the relationship between the aboriginal governments and peoples in the federal, provincial and territorial governments should be referred to the national unity application processes. Agreement was also reached to hold aboriginal, federal, provincial and territorial meetings to discuss social issues relating to aboriginal peoples.

Finally Premiers agreed to support an Aboriginal First Ministers' Meeting to address the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. The framework presented by the national aboriginal leaders is a far reaching document dealing with the need for aboriginal people and their governments to work in partnership with federal, provincial and territorial governments. Aboriginal leaders said this partnership must be based upon the primary judicial obligations of the Government of Canada to aboriginal peoples, the inherent right of self-government and the recognition of aboriginal and treaty rights.

The Special Committee anticipated early in its mandate that the reference in the Calgary framework to aboriginal people as one part of Canada's gift of diversity would not be supported nationally or in the Northwest Territories. The Resolution being recommended to the Assembly gives more profile to the status of aboriginal peoples as the founding nations of this country and recognizes their right to self-government. The Resolution reflects the input we received in responses to questionnaires about the Calgary framework. While most Northwest Territories' residents were satisfied with the way in which aboriginal issues were addressed in the Calgary framework, this support was qualified. Many people felt that an Assembly resolution needs to put more emphasis on the aboriginal characteristics of Canada and their rights and interests guaranteed in the constitution.

The Special Committee also gives special consideration to receiving reaction from the Northwest Territories aboriginal leadership. Although Aboriginal Summit leaders felt that our process is too rushed, they preferred some amendments to the National Unity Resolutions which the Special Committee has agreed to.

The leader of Nunavut Tunngavik supports the Assembly's Resolution as well as the Dene of the Deh Cho First Nation and as a Canadian, I firmly believe that the aboriginal characteristics of Canada are an essential element of the national unity package. I also believe that the Northwest Territories can play a strong role in ensuring that aboriginal characteristics of Canada are reflected in the national unity package. Finally, I agree with the Premier, that we have to move early and quickly to have maximum effect on the resolutions of other jurisdictions. In my constituency, many residents have said that they do not want to see Quebec separate. They have also said that all people and all governments including Quebec and aboriginal nations need to work together for our future generations.

I also heard that the Calgary framework does not accurately reflect the historical and contemporary status of aboriginal people in Canada. Aboriginal people are unique in this country because they were the first to inhabit and govern what is now Canada. This is why aboriginal peoples have special rights under the Canadian constitution. Dene and Metis people have struggled a long time to get where they are today and I am pleased that the Northwest Territories Resolution recognizes the struggle and their special rights and status.

In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in this House to speak about how they and their constituents feel about our great country and to unanimously support in the vote of the National Unity Resolution before the House today. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. To the motion. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when I think of Canada, I do not imagine a large geographic mass consisting of different regions or provinces such as Quebec. I think of Canada as people, their friendliness, their compassion, a sense of fairness and the desire to share with those who have less. Our various regions naturally have different concerns, but as Canadians we will work them out by listening and not by using force or intimidation. Canadians have always been a family. We do not blame people for their place of birth, instead we welcome them into our extended family and as a result of that diversity a respect for others has earned us an enviable reputation around the world. Like all families, Canada has some bullies. But as a family, we must stand up and remind other Canadians that no one member has the right to more of a share then the other. We have moved on and perhaps up, since the statements, like, "let them freeze in the dark". Canadians as a whole have never stooped to the level of wanting anyone, whether they live in Cape Breton Island or in Arviat in the Northwest Territories, to freeze or to be without. Mr. Speaker, Canada is about sharing and remaining together as one. Vive le Canada! Mahsi cho, Monsieur le President.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. To the motion. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too, would like to speak in favour of the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate that the people of the Northwest Territories do not see unity as a priority at this time. Unfortunately, a lot of people are looking at putting bread and butter on the table and at issues that are more closely dear to their hearts. However, this is not an easy issue that we have to deal with. Should this country split? There could be serious ramifications. First, of course, there would be economic ramifications which would affect us socially. There would be less money for programs, less money for the type of government that we want.

Mr. Speaker, this is a great country. Yes, things are not perfect, but I think we have it pretty good. We have constitutionally protected rights. We have freedom of speech, freedom of mobility, people can travel anywhere they want in this country without being stopped. We have protection against discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability. Our constitution also recognizes and affirms aboriginal and treaty rights. Those rights of course are not defined, but they are protected. There is still a long way to go in this area, but I do not believe there is any other country in the world that recognizes and affirms aboriginal treaty rights in their constitution.

Yes, we do have many people who are disadvantaged, but we have the network, the social network. There is social assistance for people who need it, which supplies basic food and shelter. In the north we also provide housing, social housing and homeownership programs. Those homeownership programs go a long way further then they do in south. People are guaranteed education. We have free education up to grade 12. In fact, it is against the law not to go to school up to the age of 16. After 16, I suppose you are on your own. In the area of post secondary education, our government provides grants, loans, forgivable loans for long-term residents and that used to be Canada Student Loans are repayable loans as well. We also have minimum wages, in fact every province in Canada has minimum wages based on their cost of living.

Mr. Speaker, Canada was voted the best country in the world to live for the past four years. This was done by the countries in the United Nations. One Francophone person I know said he has travelled out of this country and people asked him if we were crazy. We were trying to split up the best country in the world to live in. He said he did not know what to respond to people who asked him questions. He feels very strongly that this country should stay together. As I said, we still have a ways to go. Aboriginal people in particular have a long way to go to bring their standards of living up to the rest of Canadians. Aboriginal people have the lowest education rates, highest drop-out rates, highest unemployment, highest rates of social assistance and depending on which statistics a person uses, aboriginal people live six to nine years less than non-aboriginal people. We also have high mortality rates for babies, high suicide rates. We have long outstanding land and treaty claims and we are still negotiating self-government.

Recently the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples put out the report. This commission took a long time to look into these issues. They did many studies. They have made many recommendations to deal with the problems of aboriginal people that I have mentioned. They have recommended that the federal, provincial and territorial governments pour millions of dollars into education, to housing and to help with social and health problems. This is so aboriginal people can take their rightful place in society.

Mr. Speaker, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples Report is a long report and it has taken a long time to respond from the federal government. Having a federal election recently did not help matters, but I understand the federal government is poised to respond in the new year and this government, the Government of the Northwest Territories, is prepared to help the Government of Canada to respond to the Royal Commission's recommendations to help improve education, to help improve economic, health and social conditions of northern aboriginal people. Mr. Speaker, if we could do it alone, we would, but we cannot. We need federal dollars.

At a recent constituency meeting that all the Yellowknife MLAs had here at the Great Hall, there was a small turnout on the unity issue, but there was good discussion. The other Yellowknife MLAs have already touched on this meeting. I just wanted to indicate that there was general support for the intent of the Calgary Framework for keeping Quebec within this country of Canada. There was the feeling that perhaps the clauses in the framework were divisive rather then unifying; could be taken as divisive by Quebecers, but in general, people said they want Quebec to remain. I agree. It was not the best wording in the world, and it still is not, but the intent is to show Quebec that we want them to stay in Canada. The intent is not to analyze how every word is put together and to obtain perfection.

Mr. Speaker, I have not travelled out of Canada that extensively, but this is a world of instantaneous communications and I do know world conditions. I have seen many times on television people travelling hundreds of kilometres because of drought or other natural disasters. You see people, dusty people, on foot, carrying their children, carrying their belongings. Other times, you see children starving in their mother's arms. Other times you see rampaging tribesmen wiping out whole villages because of religious tribal warfare. Other places, like China, you see tanks rolling over demonstrating university students. South America, Indian people in the rain forests are hunted down and killed, so that people can develop their land. We hear people testifying that street children are killed at night because they are bothering the street merchants. In many places of the world, you see elected governments overthrown by the military soon after they are elected. For decades, we have seen a country where bombing their innocent countrymen has become an everyday affair.

Mr. Speaker, yes, Canada has its problems, but when we look at the situation in other countries that I have described, our problems are nothing, nothing. We basically have a good life. What we are striving for is to make that life better and I do not wish to see it get worse. Mr. Speaker, if Quebec leaves Canada, life in the Northwest Territories and Canada will get worse. There will be less money for education, health, housing and our other problems. Our people will be worse off. The Northwest Territories will be worse off and Canada will be worse off. Mr. Speaker, I do not want Quebec to leave Canada, rather, I want Canada to remain to be the best country in the world to live in. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. To the motion. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. To the motion. Mr. Steen.

Thank you. To the motion. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. To the motion. Mr. Ng.

(Translation unavailable) Mr. Speaker, to translate.

--Applause

Mr. Speaker, friends, I took the opportunity to speak my own language briefly. I know that you did not understand what I said but to recognize the greatness of our country, I believe millions of Canadians would have understood what I said. Canada gave my parents the opportunity to afford themselves a living, to raise a family. Myself as a first generation Canadian of Chinese descent, it gave me an opportunity, and again to recognize the diversity of our country to move from Vancouver, a city of approximately two million people, to Cambridge Bay, a community of approximately a thousand people approximately 20 years ago. It gave me an opportunity to work, to live and to raise a family and ultimately be accepted by the community and the opportunity and the honour of representing that community as their Member in this Assembly.

Our country Canada is the only one, I believe, that affords us the opportunity to voice our freedom of speech to the level that we are allowed, to give us the mobility rights to work and to live wherever we want in this great country. It has one of the highest levels of social safety net to protect those residents, those citizens, who need help in the area of health and social services and providing one of the best education levels in the world. In this country as we all know, it is comprised of millions of Canadians, many, of many ethnic backgrounds. One only has to look at the reflection of this in our small Legislature, one of the smallest in Canada, but I believe it has one of the most diverse backgrounds. We have people of Inuit decent, of Inuvialuit decent, of Dene decent, of Metis decent. We have immigrants to this country of Scottish decent, of Irish decent, of Dutch decent. We have Canadians born and raised in the country whether they are from the west coast originally like myself or from the Prairies or from the east coast like some of my honourable colleagues. I think that is just a reflection of the greatness and the diversity of our country. So, I am proud to be Canadian, Mr. Speaker. I am proud to be able to support this motion and I am proud to support this great country that we are all part of. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

To the motion. Thank you, Mr. Ng. Mrs. Thompson.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be making a brief comment. I agree with all the comments that have been put out by the Members and I am very proud to be a Canadian as well. I just want to indicate that being an aboriginal person and being a founding person of this country, I am very proud of it. When the first non-aboriginal people came to our country, we did not even have a geography at the time or any mappings, and yet there were some aboriginal people who were living in Keewatin, Kitikmeot and Dene regions. Manitoba, Yukon or Quebec or even the provinces at the time were not even listed in our maps of Canada. However, aboriginal people were still in existence in our great country and they were scattered all over this country. They were supporting themselves and hunting for themselves, for their people. They had their own customs and laws which governed them.

Even though they were scattered and had their own systems, they did not have such party politics. However, they would communicate with each other and come up with solutions to their problems. However, just recently when we started talking about Nunavut territory, our elders finally understood that our country and that our land was our land, that we could govern the land as we wanted and as we wished. So, the people who were negotiating the land claims at the time had a very hectic job to do. However, we will be beginning our government within Nunavut and having said all that, although we have political parties within Canada and have provinces, we can still live together as a whole, as a people because we are all from Canada and we are proud to be Canadians. Those of us who are Inuit being in Canada, we always see on TV other countries fighting amongst themselves and we even see little children carrying guns so that they can shoot other people. But we do not see that within Canada. We do not let our children carry guns around so that they can shoot other people down. Because we are living in Canada, we can speak about anything that we want to speak. Thank you. (Translation ends)

Different types of people come from different parts of Canada and regions. My husband is from Ontario. My son, Trevor, is from Baffin. My son Randy is from Keewatin. I have a sister-in-law from northern Quebec, Pasha. I have a sister-in-law Marilyn from New Brunswick. I have a sister-in-law Trudy from Manitoba. I have a brother-in-law from southern Quebec. I also have a friend here who speaks Chinese.

--Laughter/Applause

My Mom's father, Jimmy Tom, was from Scotland. I strongly feel that family unity is very important and so is National Unity. The NWT Resolution and the Calgary Declaration recognize what makes Canada unique, and this is our respect for diversity, the value of our social programs, our different languages, the equality of our people, and of our provinces and territories and the right of our people to govern themselves. Mr. Speaker, I am supporting the NWT Resolution and would like to thank all the Members of this special committee for their efforts in the national unity process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you. To the motion. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In closing the debate on this House's Resolution on National Unity, I would just like to thank Members for their speeches of today and for entering into this debate in a good frame of mind and a firm commitment to this country. I just got word from our staff that the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador have unanimously passed the Calgary Declaration with one amendment at approximately a little after 4:00 p.m. Atlantic time zone time. So, that would be approximately 4:00 p.m. December 2, 1997. So, I will not speak long because we are going to pass our Resolution before 4:00 p.m. December 2, 1997, Mountain Standard Time.

--Laughter -- Applause -- Hear! Hear!

But it is only fitting that the last provincial government or the last provincial Assembly that ever joined this country was Newfoundland and they did unanimously pass their Assembly's motion, and we will be the next to join this country as a full partner so we will next pass our resolution, as number two. With that, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all Members. I would like to thank Northwest Territories' residents for telling us their views, and I think that we have taken the time and opportunity to send a clear and strong message to the rest of Canada that our Canada, the future Canada includes Quebec and it also includes the Northwest Territories. So, with that, Mr. Speaker, I would request a recorded vote. Mahsi cho.

Thank you. The Member has requested a recorded vote. All those in favour, please stand.

Mr. Morin, Mr. Arlooktoo, Mr. Dent, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Steen, Mr. Ningark, Mr. Evaloarjuk, Mr. Barnabas, Mr. Picco, Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Krutko, Mr. Rabesca, Mr. Roland, Mr. Miltenberger, Mr. Ootes, Mr. Erasmus, Mr. Henry, Mr. Ng, Mrs. Thompson, Mr. Antoine, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. All those against, please stand. All those abstaining, please stand. Thank you. Recorded vote is 21 for, none against and none abstaining. This motion is passed unanimously.

--Applause

I would like to thank all the Members for participating in this special unity session. After we take a 15- minute break, we will resume normal orders of the day.

--Break

I would like to call the House back to order. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is with deep sadness that I rise today to offer condolences to Finance Minister, the Honourable John Todd and his family on the death of his son Ian, this past weekend. Mr. Speaker, there is nothing more tragic then the loss of a loved one, especially at a relatively young age. There is nothing worse for a parent

than the death of one of their children. On behalf of the Members of this Legislative Assembly and all the people of the Northwest Territories, I would like to offer the deepest sympathy to John and his family. Our hearts and thoughts are with them all at this difficult time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Morin. Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Ministers' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on November 24, 1997, the Constitutional Working Group delegation met with the DIAND Minister, Jane Stewart, in Ottawa. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss continuing federal support for the CWG process and the development of the constitution for the new Western Territory. The delegation included Mr. James Wah-Shee, myself and the CWG's executive director, Mr. Steve Iveson. In addition to discussing ongoing federal support the meeting was also an opportunity to provide Minister Stewart with an update on the progress made to date on the CWG, how western Northwest Territories residents have responded to the western constitutional development issues and what we are planning for the future.

I am pleased to report that Minister Stewart expressed her support for the western constitutional development process and agreed in general with the CWG's guiding principles and objectives which form the basis for our western constitution. She expressed confidence that with good communication and effective consultation among western residents, the aboriginal leadership and the federal government's approach will emerge with respect to the values of all parties.

I can also report that the Minister supports continued involvement by the federal government in the western constitutional process. DIAND officials will continue to take an active role in the CWG meetings and the second round of consultations they will participate as observers, offer technical advice and provide the federal perspective. Finally, Minister Stewart confirmed that the Government of Canada will contribute $500,000 to the CWG process for the remainder of this fiscal year. This contribution along with the $266,000 from the Government of the Northwest Territories will be targeted for CWG's second round of consultation. The CWG's proposed budget and work plan for fiscal year 1998/99 are already under review by the federal, territorial and the CWG officials.

Both governments are to be commended for their political, financial, technical support for the Constitutional Working Group process. The Constitutional Working Group can now devote its full attention to the second round of consultations which are scheduled for February through May of 1998. The Constitutional Working Group will hold a constitutional conference in the fall of 1998 where a proposed constitutional package will be considered subject to further consultation. A plebiscite on the western constitutional package is tentatively scheduled for early 1999.

On the same day, I was able to meet with Minister Stewart in my capacity as Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs. We discussed a number of Northwest Territories' issues and initiatives including self-government which has implications for federal and territorial governments and aboriginal people. We established a good dialogue on these matters and have agreed to continue working closely in the future. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Ministers' statements. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize the service offered to northerners over the past 25 years by a dedicated group of volunteers, the St. John Ambulance Council of the Northwest Territories. The Council is celebrating its 25th anniversary. St. John is the oldest charity in the world. It began in Jerusalem almost 1,000 years ago. The organization reached Canada in 1882. At that time, high accident rates among construction, mining, forestry and railway workers meant there was a need for first aid training and followup after hospital treatment. In 1972, Commissioner Stu Hodgson said that the territories should have it own St. John Ambulance organization to meet the growing need for first aid training in the north.

Since that time, the NWT St. John Ambulance Council has issued over 74,000 certificates to northerners qualifying them in health care, safety and emergency first aid. It provides instruction to over 3,500 hundred people in the NWT each year. Courses include first aid, babysitting, child care and home health care.

Last year, St. John volunteers logged 1,400 hours covering events such as the Caribou Carnival, Dry Grad functions, Canada Day events and the Folk on the Rocks Festival in Yellowknife. Over the years, this organization has made efforts to provide services that meet the special needs of the Northwest Territories. St. John has translated its training materials into aboriginal languages and has an Aboriginal Instructor Qualification Program. This program is credited with training 5,000 northerners in health care and first aid. St. John has placed survival material along travel routes in the High Arctic. These materials are available to anyone who needs them while out on the land. For ten years, St. John operated the air medevac service in the western Arctic.

Mr. Speaker, the members of St. John Ambulance provide these services because they see a need in their communities. They are working to improve the quality of life for all northern people through training and first aid service. I would like to congratulate them on their first 25 years in the Northwest Territories and wish them the best in the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Ningark.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to offer my condolences in the loss of a close relative. Having gone through a similar time, I can sympathize. On behalf of the people of the NWT, we are representatives of the people in our communities, and I think sometimes we are seen as cold hearted or unfeeling, but I would like to remind the people of the NWT that as elected Members to this Legislature, Mr. Speaker, we have to be reminded of our constituents that they, too, have feelings and they have compassion. As the Member for Natilikmiot, my friend John Todd, our friend, his relatives and people in his community, our thoughts are with you and you will be in our prayers. I wanted to express that condolence. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

The Member for Yellowknife Centre is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Ootes, you have unanimous consent.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This afternoon I rise to inform the House of the dire need of housing in all the north. However, I would like to focus my statement on the communities being Wha Ti. Mr. Speaker, I have received a letter from Wha Ti showing that they do, indeed, have housing problems. You are aware that in Wha Ti 88 percent of the housing in Wha Ti are having problems. This 88 or 82 percent are housing in core need. This means that 82 percent of all houses in Wha Ti are either unsafe to live in or they have to have too many people living in them. These are the hard facts.

The committee has many letters on file from doctors and nursing stations and other groups saying children's health is being compromised because of the conditions where they have been.

This is an important issue for myself and my constituents. I hope the Department of Housing will come up with some type of solution. I believe this is an important state that we are now approaching 1998, and yet we have people in this kind of condition within a country I would live in, not only sub-standard housing but unsafe and crowded conditions as well. For people to live a productive life, they must have suitable housing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Rabesca. Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to send condolences on behalf of the people of Iqaluit on the sudden death of Ian Todd. He had been living in Iqaluit for the past few years, working for First Air, he was training to be a pilot. Ian was always smiling. He had a good sense of humour and was well liked in Iqaluit. The Honourable John Todd and the family, Amanda, we extend our sincere condolences. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Steen.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I will forego my prepared statement. Instead Mr. Speaker, I want to offer my sincere condolences to my fellow Member, and sparring partner, Mr. Todd, on the tragic loss on his son, Ian. Mr. Speaker, four years ago, I, too, lost a family member in a tragic accident. I know the feeling of emptiness, loss, disbelief and the nagging question of why. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, time is the only healer. Mr. Speaker, the thoughts and prayers of the people of the Kivallivik are with John and his family at his time of loss. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. Members' statement. Mr. Roland.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to apologize. I would like to offer my condolences to John Todd and wish my fellow Members a Merry Christmas and have a good rest. I would like to express to my constituents in Arctic Bay, Resolute Bay, happy Christmas. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to express my sincere feeling towards a person who has lost a family member and especially to John Todd. On November 14th I left Igloolik to Pond Inlet. I came to Yellowknife from Pond Inlet and while I was away from home, we have lost community members that committed suicide. I would also like to send my condolences to the family members of these people. Thank you. (Translation ends)

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the constituents and NWT Teachers Association, I would like to ask the Premier a question. In the name of a constituent, if you will allow is Mike V. Ellsworth. If my wish has been able to be recorded, I spell Ellsworth of Gjoa Haven. The gentleman has endeavoured to purchase a government unit in Gjoa Haven. According to the information I have here, Mr. Speaker, the gentleman has moved to Gjoa Haven in 1996, under a term position. Then within May 1997 the position was upgraded to indeterminate. Since the job that he had was secured, he wanted to purchase a government unit in Gjoa Haven and went to different levels to try and purchase, but no avail. Mr. Ellsworth has indicated, he wrote me a letter on October 29, 1997, but I have not received the letter since I travel from October 24th to Iqaluit, Igloolik, Pelly Bay, Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak. So I apologize.

My question to the Premier, Mr. Speaker, is, will the Premier look into a procedure used to sell government units to private contractors and to try and help the gentleman in Gjoa Haven who is in dire need of a house. Thank you.

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have agreed on a process of disposal of surplus government units. We have agreed already to offer units for sale to employees then to communities, private sector. I thank Mr. Ningark for raising this issue, and I will get back to him in writing prior to Christmas so that he can tell his constituent if the proper process was followed. If not, what happened and I will look into it. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the past several weeks NTI has passed a resolution to form a shadow cabinet to help the Ordinary Members keep the Cabinet accountable. Mr. Speaker, on several occasions I have tried to raise questions in this House on article 23, article 24, Nunavut Infrastructure and numerous Nunavut issues to try to keep the Cabinet accountable. Again, I will raise the question to demonstrate to my friends at NTI that this Member is trying to do that. My question is to the Minister responsible for Division, the Honourable Goo Arlooktoo. Can the Minister update this House at this time the status of article 24 on this implementation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. The Deputy Premier, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess I should first clarify that Mr. Todd is the Minister responsible for Division. I have the responsibility for transition planning for Nunavut and Mr. Dent has a similar position for the western regions. I do appreciate the question by the Member for Iqaluit. It is true that the Member has raised the issue of article 24 and article 23 on several occasions here in the House and privately with me. I do appreciate the fact that we do try to iron out some of the problems in dealing with those issues. The Government of the NWT has approved implementation measures for contracting in the Nunavut settlement area in accordance with our obligations under the Nunavut Land Claim. This was approved by Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated this past fall and is now in effect.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister inform this House and the people of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut in particular, if indeed that article 24 which has been passed, as he said, which is in the Nunavut Land Claim and is in effect if the agreement in principle that the Nunavut and the Northwest Territories is using is in actuality being used by NTI. Do they know about it? Has it been explained to them? Are they in agreement with them? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Arlooktoo.