Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my pleasure today to inform Members about a meeting held earlier today between Members of Cabinet and the federal Minister of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, the Honourable Jane Stewart.
As you are aware, Minister Stewart is in Yellowknife as part of a cross-country tour to talk about the federal government's
followup and reaction to the recommendations by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. As part of the tour, Minister Stewart made time in her schedule to meet with all Members of Cabinet, with the exception of Premier Don Morin who is out of the country on the Team Canada Trade Mission.
Mr. Speaker, at that meeting, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Jim Antoine, expressed our overall support for the federal government's response to the RCAP report. In particular, he expressed support for the statement of reconciliation which is viewed as helpful and meaningful. We agreed that the needs and challenges in the north are unique, but as valuable as those of the aboriginal people in southern Canada. We also agreed on the importance of ensuring that the Government of the Northwest Territories has an active role in the development of the federal government's northern agenda. As well, we agreed that dialogue is necessary to clarify how programs and funding would affect the Northwest Territories and, more specifically, concerns raised by the Minister of Health and Social Services, Kelvin Ng, with respect to healing programs.
Mr. Speaker, in addition to our discussion on the Royal Commission, we also used the opportunity of the meeting with Minister Stewart to talk about two other issues of importance and interest to the people in the Northwest Territories. These include the current state of the mining industry and the ongoing discussion on the creation of two new territories.
Starting with an update on the current status of the mining industry, Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Stephen Kakfwi, acknowledged the cooperation of the federal government departments and in particular the DIAND regional office in addressing some social and economic issues related to recent layoffs that have resulted from the downturn of the gold market. He also sought Minister Stewart's continuing support and cooperation and encouraged her to continue to work as a priority to support the development of the northern minerals industry, both in the short term and in the long term.
On the creation of two new territories, it was my pleasure to once again tell Minister Stewart at how pleased we were with the positive outcome on the discussions at the Nunavut Leaders' Meeting in Iqaluit last week. While we continue to discuss the next steps, we all agree that followup is essential. We agreed that northern involvement continues to play a critical role in the planning process.
On issues relating to the Western Territory, the Minister Responsible for Western Transition, Charles Dent, advised the Minister of DIAND about an increased focus on western issues. Minister Stewart acknowledged that decisions made at the leaders' meeting will impact on the west, particularly with respect to the urgency on contracting back to the Western Territory to meet budget and business planning deadlines for 1999-2000.
Minister Dent also reinforced the GNWT's position that we need to see resolution of transition costs in both Nunavut and the Western Territory. He also informed Minister Stewart that the GNWT will be issuing a followup on our Transition Action Plan which will offer more details on western transition issues. Overall on issues relating to both Nunavut and the Western Territory, we agreed on the urgency to deal with these issues and to help ensure smooth transition between governments in 1999.
Mr. Speaker, we consider this morning's meeting to be yet another in the series of positive and encouraging meetings with Minister Stewart. We are very pleased with our growing relationship with Minister Stewart and most importantly her willingness to listen and to keep the channels of communications open. We truly value the spirit of cooperation and collaboration she brings to the table. Her personal integrity and her manner inspired confidence in all of us that the federal government is as committed as we are to ensuring the future of Canada's north is indeed a bright one.