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.