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.