Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it appears the fate of the GNWT employees who are affected by division remains unresolved. I have spoken about my concerns on this issue before. To reiterate my position, staff outside of Nunavut who are laid off as a result of division, should be given hiring priority for jobs for which they are qualified. Existing staff in Nunavut should be automatically transferred to the new government, with all terms and conditions of employment unchanged. This is the position this government put forward in its response to Footprints 2. However, it seems NTI and Nunatsiak MP, Jack Anawak, who is also a candidate for Interim Commissioner and will oversee the hiring of the staff for Nunavut, are arguing that Nunavut's needs are different and the government should be free to hire those it wishes.
The argument by these leaders is this is a totally different government with a totally different philosophical bent. Many people have stated that we are creating two new territories. Does this mean we are going to dismiss the present members of the public service and hire a different set of employees on April 1, 1999 in the west? I do not think so. The present employees of the Government of the NWT should become employees of the new governments. We should all acknowledge this and provide a level of assurance to people who feel that their jobs are in jeopardy, to ensure that their concerns are not being ignored. Existing employees have a great deal to offer. They can be responsible in their future roles to be the trainers of new employees. As experience has shown, experience is the best teacher. Our employees need reassurances. They deserve to know about their future. This present state of uncertainty is unacceptable. I believe that the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Government of Canada, who is funding this whole process, have an obligation to protect the employment of existing staff. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause