Thank you, Madam Chair. It’s an overused word today but I think it’s very valid and it is historic. It reminds me of when we talked about devolution. This is a one of a kind. This group of the people from Deline are on the leading edge and they’re leading the other communities in the NWT that want to follow their lead. It is an historic situation. It is an historic day and it’s also very exciting. This is something which has not ever occurred before in our territory. I don’t know that it’s ever occurred in Canada before.

With that, I know it’s been a very long process, some 19 years of work, and I want to compliment the work of all negotiators, particularly the people from Deline who have been pushing it for 19 years, but also the negotiators from the Government of Canada and the negotiators from our own GNWT who have done an excellent job in coming to the agreement that we see before us today and this bill.

I want to say that the negotiators deserve our praise, but I think the perseverance of the people of Deline is probably the main reason why we’ve reached this point today. Negotiations are always a bit of a long haul, but 19 years is a rather long time to pursue this one issue, and I congratulate you for pursuing it and achieving your goal.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I look forward to what other Members have to say and I look forward to third reading when it comes up later today. I am totally in support of this bill.