Thank you, Madam Chair. It is my pleasure to present to you today the Nunavut Statutes Amendment Act, 1999, which, along with the companion Division Measures Act, 1999, amends various acts so that plans and agreements relating to the establishment of Nunavut can be implemented. Together these two bills will conclude the necessary amendments required to the legislative framework of each new territory prior to April 1st. Many of these amendments are editorial in nature or formalities which now require implementation.

Madam Chair, representatives of the OIC and NTI worked closely with GNWT staff in the development of these bills and I would like to acknowledge the considerable contribution they made. The Interim Commissioner has reviewed the proposed legislative amendments, in keeping with section 76 of the Nunavut Act, and has indicated his approval of this bill in a letter dated March 11, 1999. As well, NTI has been consulted and have indicated their support in a letter dated March 1, 1999.

I will quickly summarize the amendments which are proposed with this omnibus bill. First of all, we are recommending that the Public Service Act be amended in order to ensure that GNWT employees, who will become employees of the Government of Nunavut will retain all of their terms and conditions of employment as if they were continuing to be GNWT employees. A companion amendment to the Northwest Territories Public Service Act contained in the Division Measures bill supports this and ensures a smooth transition from the GNWT side. This is an important amendment because it ensures a seamless transition of staff from one government to the other. It provides the Government of Nunavut with a skilled and capable workforce. In particular, it provides a level of assurance and security to employees during this time of transition. The Union of Northern Workers and the newly formed Nunavut Employees Union have been consulted and indicated their support. The Union of Northern Workers Act will be amended to reflect the name of the union representing the public sector workers in Nunavut, namely the Nunavut Employee Union.

Once again, both the UNW and the NAU have been consulted on these amendments and have indicated their support. The Legal Profession Act is amended so that directors of the Nunavut Bar Association form the executive of the Law Society of Nunavut until elections can be held, also to allow for temporary certification to be issued to allow employers to practise law before being certified as members of the Nunavut Bar Association. The Commissioner's Land Act and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Act are amended here, as well as in the Division Measures Bill in order to provide for the transfer of interest and obligations from the GNWT to the GN for affected lands under both acts. To the Commissioner of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation and the Nunavut Housing Corporation respectively. Amendments of a purely technical and editorial nature are proposed for the Income Tax Act, the Business Corporations Act, the Document Registry Act, the Interpretation Act, and the WCB Act. Madam Chair, I will conclude my opening comments now, and I welcome any comments or questions the Members may have. Thank you, Madam Chair.