Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to advise Members that Cabinet will abstain from voting on the honourable Member from Tu Nedhe, Mr. Morin's motion. I would like, however, to raise a couple of points for information of Members. Mr. Speaker, the government has chosen not to appeal the court's decision because the government has no basis to appeal on the merit of the judgement. However, we have concerns over the time frames.
We do not believe that the Northwest Territories benefits, that the courts should be deciding our constitutional future. We need to find a political solution involving all our leaders and hope to have a strong, unified territory shared by residents of the Northwest Territories. The debate has taken place over the last few months. It is not only about electoral boundaries. We believe the time that would be required for an appeal would be better spent trying to resolve the larger issues of shaping a new, strong Western Territory that reflects all our interests. Mr. Speaker, this is not to say that we would not support the rights of other parties to appeal the merits of the court decision. Mr. Speaker, we have indicated that we would support the right of parties to appeal the decision. In fact, Mr. Speaker, the course of action that we are proposing does not preclude a future appeal by the parties if in the end that is considered necessary or appropriate.
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated in my statement earlier today, we believe the limited time frame set out in a court decision is an impediment in finding a western solution to the constitutional issue. The government is taking the necessary step to ask the courts to extend the April 1st deadline. We are committed to using the extension, if it is granted, to work with the western leaders to find a solution. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause