Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
WHEREAS, this government supports the devolution of federal program authorities and responsibilities and their concomitant resources to the Government of the Northwest Territories;
AND WHEREAS, federal public servants developing policies and delivering programs for Northwest Territories residents continue to reside in Canadian jurisdictions outside the Northwest Territories;
AND WHEREAS, the development of federal policy and the delivery of federal programs on behalf of Northwest Territories residents is best facilitated by federal public servants residing in the policy and program target area, namely the Northwest Territories, in order to better realize the economic potential of the north and maximize the benefits to northerners;
AND WHEREAS, the effective and efficient delivery of federal programs and services to Northwest Territories residents will be enhanced by bringing delivery resources closer to the intended recipients;
AND WHEREAS, the location of federal public servants developing policies and deliveries programs to residents of the Northwest Territories is a federal responsibility;
NOW THEREFORE, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Iqaluit, that the Legislative Assembly request that the Premier immediately communicate with the Prime Minister to request that a comprehensive listing of all federal civil service positions dedicated to policy development and programming in the Northwest Territories which are currently located in the southern jurisdictions be provided by September 30, 1997;
AND FURTHER, that the Premier, in communicating this request, suggest to the Prime Minister that this exercise commence with the mineral, oil and gas functions currently residing within the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development;
AND FURTHERMORE, upon receipt of the comprehensive listing, request that the Premier initiate discussions with the appropriate federal Ministers to facilitate the relocation of identified federal positions to the Northwest Territories as an interim step towards the eventual devolution of authority and programs from the federal government to the Government of the Northwest Territories.