Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, recognizing that the House will be recessing today for
its summer break, I would like to provide a very brief update on a number of the key transition activities that will be ongoing during the course of the summer.
The first, and perhaps the most important, milestone this summer is the Nunavut Leaders meeting that is tentatively planned for July 7th to 9th. At this meeting, the three parties to the Nunavut Political Accord will, in conjunction with the Interim Commissioner of Nunavut, have the opportunity to assess the progress that has been made on the implementation of the Nunavut government model.
Secondly, a great deal of work will be ongoing at the official's level to ensure a seamless transition to the new Nunavut government. In May, a joint meeting of the Deputy Minister teams from the GNWT and Nunavut was held in Iqaluit to begin discussing transition issues. This meeting resulted in an agreement on the need for a joint business planning process in the lead up to division. Officials from both organizations will be meeting again later this month in Iqaluit to begin to outline this planning process. Mr. Speaker, we are very encouraged about the productive working relationships that have emerged at the Deputy Minister level. These relationships are key to a smooth hand-off to the Nunavut government and, more importantly, to ensuring that there is no disruption in the level of service to the people of Nunavut on April 1, 1999.
Mr. Speaker, there are a number of other critical negotiations that will be ongoing over the summer months on critical issues such as the NWT Power Corporation and Workers' Compensation Board. While discussions on these matters have been difficult and there are many challenges to overcome to come to a final resolution, the Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to working with the other partners in the process to find a resolution that is acceptable to both new territories.
Mr. Speaker, before I end, I would like to wish all Members a safe trip home and a very pleasant summer in their constituencies. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause