Thank You Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, last October, I tabled an Action Plan for the Transition to a new Western Territory. I rise today to report progress on measures being taken towards the creation of a strong and stable Western Territory in 1999.
It is critical that all leaders in both the west and Nunavut work together to protect our programs and services by making sure that the Government of Canada pays for the costs of creating two new territories. I am pleased to inform Members that a Western Transition Costs Report on the financial implications of division for the Western Territory is almost complete, and will be provided to Members in the near future. I expect that this report will help us to show the federal government that more funding must be made available to ensure a smooth transition in 1999.
On January 21st, I attended a meeting with DIAND Minister Jane Stewart at which western transition issues were raised. Minister Stewart has agreed to another meeting to talk about western transition in more depth. I see this as a very positive sign on the Minister's part, and I look forward to the discussion.
GNWT employees working in the west, particularly those in headquarters, want and deserve information on how division may change their workplace. Any employees who will be affected by downsizing in headquarters as a result of division should have time to plan their futures. I would like to assure Members and the public that we are working to develop a plan that will outline changes in staffing as quickly as possible. The plan will, of course, depend in part on discussions with the Office of the Interim Commissioner on contracts with the western government to provide some services for Nunavut during a transitional period. Representatives at the Nunavut Leaders Summit in Iqaluit earlier this month recognized that any contracting must be worked out in such a way as to allow the GNWT adequate time to make personnel, office space, training and other similar adjustments and arrangements and to recover costs. I was pleased to hear that the parties have committed to working with the Interim Commissioner to finalize an implementation plan by March 15, 1998, and look forward to seeing the details of anticipated contracting between the two new territories.
Members of this Assembly have recognized the importance of securing constitutional changes to ensure the representation of both the west and Nunavut in the Senate and the House of Commons. We have had discussions with the Government of Canada on this matter and expect that legislation will be before Parliament in the near future.
As was stated in the action plan, division will have an impact on the western economy. The plan identifies the need for measures that will help offset these impacts, foster economic stability and keep the confidence of investors and the business community in general. I understand that the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development and the Minister of Finance will review the future of economic development activity in the west in light of division, and outline steps we can take to reinforce our western economy. We have made good progress so far in transition planning although a great deal of work remains to be done. Our key to success in the commitment of the Western Caucus to keep western stakeholders informed and involved.
I also cannot emphasize enough the importance of continued cooperation among leaders east and west to ensure that the two new territories are created in an equitable and orderly fashion. I look forward to working with my fellow northerners both within and outside the Assembly in the coming months to meet the challenges that lie ahead. Thank you.
--Applause