Thank you, Mr. Chairman, the Division Measures Act. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to be here today to present the Division Measures Act, 1999, which amends various acts so that plans and agreements relating to the establishment of Nunavut can be implemented. Many of these amendments are formalities that now need the legal basis to be put in place. As Members will recall, we have already brought forward some division measures legislation. This is the final instalment.

Just to refresh everyone's memories, under Section 76.05 of the Nunavut Act, the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories has the authority to amend or replace the laws of Nunavut before they come into force on April 1, 1999. This authority can only be used on the recommendation of the Interim Commissioner and only after the GNWT consults with the Chairman of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. Representatives from the Office of the Interim Commissioner and NTI worked closely with GNWT staff in the development of these bills in a cooperative and collegial manner and the Interim Commissioner has provided his approval on the Nunavut specific bills in a letter dated March 11, 1999. As well, NTI has been consulted and has provided a letter of support for the Nunavut bills.

Some of the proposed amendments are purely editorial and the rest provide the legal basis to implement changes necessary for the smooth transition to Nunavut and the affirmation of the new Northwest Territories. Mr. Chairman, I will quickly summarize the amendments proposed within this omnibus bill.

In the Electoral Boundaries Act, the date of repeal is moved up from June 30, 1999, to March 31, 1999.

The Flag Act is amended, as is the Floral Emblem Act, so that the flag of the Northwest Territories and the floral emblem for the Northwest Territories do not apply to Nunavut.

The Public Service Act is amended to ensure the smooth transition of GNWT employees whose positions are located in Nunavut over to the Government of Nunavut. Amendments are being proposed through both the Division Measures and the Nunavut Statutes Amendment bills.

Through the Division Measures bill, we are proposing that the Public Service Act be amended to provide that GNWT employees in positions in Nunavut will cease to be members of the Northwest Territories public service as of March 31, 1999. To complete the picture, Nunavut Statutes Amendment bill proposes that the Public Service Act of Nunavut be amended to provide that GNWT employees become members of the Nunavut Public Service on April 1, 1999, with all the terms and conditions of their employment intact. Together, these amendments will provide the legal basis for a seamless transition of those GNWT employees who work within the geographic area of Nunavut over to the Government of Nunavut. It is important to note that we have consulted with the Union of Northern Workers on this legislation. Similar consultation has occurred between the Nunavut Employees Union and the Office of the Interim Commissioner. Both organizations have indicated their willingness to support these amendments.

The amendments to the Commissioner's Land Act and to the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Act are intended to transfer certain interests and obligations respecting lands in Nunavut, both Commissioner's lands and lands where the Housing Corporation has assets and buildings. The interests and obligations, which include title, mortgages, leases, liens, et cetera, will be transferred over to the Commissioner of Nunavut and the Nunavut Housing Corporation, respectively.

The other amendments to the Income Tax Act, Interpretation Act, Statute Revision Act, are of a technical, editorial nature and are very straightforward. These proposed amendments, Mr. Chairman, are part of the final set of legislative changes that we need to make in order to make Nunavut and the new Northwest Territories a reality. Thank you.