(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends) I would like to give the House an update on the Nunavut Leaders Meeting held in Iqaluit last week. With division quickly approaching, the meeting took on an air of more importance. The Interim Commissioner released his plan for the development of Nunavut and the steps involved. I think that my colleagues from Nunavut Caucus, Mr. Picco and Minister Thompson and Minister Arlooktoo would agree with me that the meeting was successful and productive: the issue on infrastructure and realization that all positions cannot be filled and in place by April 1, 1999; as discussed as well, the decentralization plan and the continued commitments of the same.

The infrastructure, for example, states that the office buildings for decentralization will not be in place by 2000, in some cases, the year 2001. Then decentralization will occur more gradually. My colleague, Mr. Picco and I stated again that we, as Nunavut leaders, have to be clear on this point. I think that it now has general acceptance. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the next meeting after the official staff have a chance to review the Interim Commissioner's plan more carefully, so that we can get down to the task at hand. I would like to thank Minister Stewart, the Nunavut representatives from this House, as well as the other participants and staff who made it a very successful and positive meeting. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.