Mr. O'Brien, the question would not be properly directed to the Minister because it is asking a question over and above anything to do with the act. You are asking a question as to what would be needed in order for it to be addressed strictly by Nunavut, and I think we should direct the question to the legal advisor rather than to the Minister. Mr. O'Brien.

I will direct the question to our legal advisor, Ms. MacPherson.

Thank you, Ms. MacPherson. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. I will then recognize Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There is discussion from some of the Members. The question is in regard to the kind of consultation that was done. I would like to point out once again that this is a combination of a ten year process that this bill has been in our committee for almost a year. It took us eight months to do the consultation around the territory, east and west. There were hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of mail outs in correspondence on these bills and on the Adoption Act. I would also venture to say, Mr. Chairman, that if, in fact, this Adoption Act, had been part of the four and was ready in time, that this would not be an issue. Now that it is by itself, and timing to division draws near, it is coming under additional scrutiny. I do not have a question, Mr. Chairman. I just want to point that out. I also want to remind Members, as I have heard many, many times in this House by some of my colleagues, that we are elected until April 1st, 1999, and we have an obligation to all the children in the Northwest Territories to bring this act into force, in my opinion. If the Nunavut government, in their wisdom afterward want to repeal or go back to a piece of legislation that is 30 some years old and antiquated and out of date, that would be entirely their choice. We have an obligation to complete this ten year process and bring it to conclusion. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. We did have general comments on Friday from Members. I called for general comments, and there were no more today, and I allowed the Minister to respond. We seem to be in general comments again. Perhaps your comments should be recorded, Mr. Miltenberger. I did not see any specific question to the Minister there, so I will recognize Mr. Krutko. I presume we are going to finish general comments at some time here.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My question to the Minister is in regard to the comments he made on several sections of the bill that deals with the whole aboriginal concern and consultation with aboriginal groups. I have gone through the bill, and so far, the only place I see reference to aboriginal organizations is section 7 on page 8. I would like to ask the Minister, where else in other sections of the bill is there involvement from aboriginal organizations in the decision-making process for the adoption of aboriginal children?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Could the Minister point out what is in the Child Family Services Act, which relates to aboriginal consultation or aboriginal involvement in the decision-making in regard to this act? My concern is that I do not believe there is enough consultation or enough involvement by aboriginal organizations, especially when it comes to adoption of aboriginal children.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Minister Ng. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Is there any chance of having that section added to this bill to make it clear and straightforward, so that the whole consultation, the question of aboriginal people, when it comes to aboriginal children is clear and straightforward and that you do not have to jump from one bill to the next, so you just basically reference it in this bill whenever you talk about consultation with aboriginal groups?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Mr. Krutko.