(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to make a brief statement today on behalf of the Members of the Nunavut Caucus.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the people of Nunavut decided that they would not elect their representatives to the Nunavut Legislative Assembly in 1999 on the basis of one male and one female MLA in each constituency.
We in the Nunavut Caucus are pleased with the manner in which this issue has been decided and fully support the outcome of this democratic process. We feel that this vote accomplished its intended goals of bringing both sides of the issue to light and creating extensive public discussion.
Individually, we have our own personal opinions on this issue, but as the duly elected public representatives of the people of Nunavut, it was our collective position in Cambridge Bay and remains so today, that the principles of democracy must prevail in any decision to change the manner in which the people are governed.
Mr. Speaker, we are very fortunate in our part of the world and we should all be thankful for the opportunity that we have in our society, an opportunity many do not, to hear the voice of the people.
We recognize that the issue of gender parity has been an emotional one over the past few months and would like to urge the people of Nunavut to come together as we have in the past, to move forward toward 1999. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)
-- Applause