No, I will let someone else speak for awhile, and I will take a break.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As you know, we are currently in the midst of a historic constitutional process in the Northwest Territories, that may very well achieve the division of the Northwest Territories, and the establishment of a new territory in the eastern Arctic. I am quite interested to know what implications this agreement has for the establishment of Nunavut, I would like the panel, the special committee, and the representative of I.T.C. to comment on the implications of this agreement for the eventual establishment of a new territory in the eastern Arctic. Can the new territory be established through an act in parliament, or will it require unanimous consent of the provinces?

Mr. Chairman, how soon, Mr. Minister?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have one question for the Minister responsible for Renewable Resources. The riding that I represent, the Kitikmeot, there is a mine within my riding, Lupin Mine, Echo Bay Mines, and I am wondering if you have any idea, or is there anyone in place to monitor where this gold mine, Lupin Mine, is disposing of their dangerous waste, like arsenic. Where are they depositing all of this waste?

Mr. Chairman, Mr. Minister, some of the people in Coppermine are coming to me regarding a concern that some of the fish that they are catching in the lakes, close to the mine, have become deformed. Some of the caribou that are being harvested are not suited for human consumption, because the meat in the caribou is turning green. The wildlife that fly up every spring land close to the tailings pond, and they become inedible.

In talking to many of the workers who work at Lupin Mine, the caribou graze and they bed down for the night right beside their bunkhouses, and there is fear that they go to the lake and drink whatever it is in there that makes them sick. So, I was wondering if you have any ways of monitoring, or getting up to Lupin Mine, and investigating what they are doing to the environment. It affects the people of Coppermine, and also Bathurst Inlet.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yesterday, I had some questions for the Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. As I said in my Member's statement today, aboriginal development corporations are an important economic instrument for aboriginal people to gain some economic control over their communities. However, I am concerned about what this government considers an aboriginal development corporation, as opposed to a private corporation. My question is, could the Minister please tell me if his department has a policy in place that defines an aboriginal development corporation for the purpose of receiving business development assistance from the Government of the Northwest Territories?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about the importance of aboriginal development corporations in the Northwest Territories.

These corporations provide an important economic instrument for aboriginal people to have some degree of economic control over their future, and to provide employment and training opportunities for aboriginal people. This helps build important infrastructure in our communities, and keeps the wealth within the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I know that to some extent, this government has offered encouragement to aboriginal development corporations. However, I believe we should be providing a definite focus on these types of organizations. Consideration should be given to assisting in the development of these corporations, and providing opportunities for their future growth.

However, Mr. Speaker, I am concerned about the composition of the corporations. I am not aware, at this time, of any legislation or policy that states the specifics of what would constitute an aboriginal development corporation. Does it mean all shareholders are aboriginal people, or 51 percent aboriginal shareholders? Does the government have any requirements for an organization to call itself an aboriginal development corporation?

I will be pursuing these questions with the appropriate Minister during question period today. Mr. Speaker, as I have stated before, I believe that these organizations are important economic instruments for aboriginal people, and should be fully encouraged by this government.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, on the issues related to the exercise of the inherent right. Regarding equity of access to section 35 rights, the constitution should provide that all of the aboriginal peoples of Canada have access to those aboriginal and treaty rights recognized and affirmed in section 35 of the Constitution Act 1982 that pertain to them.

Regarding financing, matters relating to the financing of government of aboriginal peoples should be dealt with in a political accord. The accord should commit the government of aboriginal peoples to:

- promoting equal opportunities for the well being of all aboriginal peoples;

- furthering economic, social and cultural development and employment opportunities to reduce disparities in opportunities among aboriginal peoples and between aboriginal peoples and other Canadians; and

- providing essential public services at levels reasonably comparable to those available to other Canadians in the vicinity.

The accord would also commit other governments to the principle of providing the governments of aboriginal peoples with fiscal or other resources, such as land, to assist those governments to govern their own affairs, and to meet the commitments listed above.

The issues of financing and its possible inclusion in the constitution should be on the agenda of the first First Ministers' Conferences on aboriginal constitutional matters.

Regarding affirmative action programs, the constitution should include a provision which authorizes governments of aboriginal peoples to undertake affirmative action programs for socially and economically disadvantaged individuals or groups and programs for the advancement of aboriginal languages and cultures.

Regarding gender equality, constitutional provisions which guarantee existing aboriginal and treaty rights equally to male and female persons should be retained. The issue of gender equality should be on the agenda of the first First Ministers' Conference on aboriginal constitutional matters.

Regarding future aboriginal constitutional process, the Constitution should be amended to provide for four future First Ministers' Conference on aboriginal constitutional matters beginning no later than 1996, and following every two years thereafter.

Regarding section 91(24), for greater certainty, a new provision should be added to the Constitution Act 1867 to ensure that s.91(24) applies to all aboriginal peoples.

Regarding Metis in Alberta, section 91(24), the constitution should be amended to safeguard the legislative authority of the Government of Alberta for Metis and Metis settlement lands.

Regarding Metis Nation Accord, the federal government, the provinces of Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and the Metis National Council have agreed to enter into a legally binding, justiciable and enforceable accord on Metis Nation issues.

The accord commits governments to negotiate self-government agreements, lands and resources, the transfer of the portion of aboriginal programs and services available to Metis, and the cost sharing arrangements relating to Metis institutions programs and services.

The accord will define the Metis for the purposes of the Metis Nation Accord, and commits governments to enumerate and register the Metis nation.

Outstanding Issues

Regarding outstanding issues, the status of the following outstanding items is not known at this time:

-aboriginal participation in intergovernmental agreements respecting the division of powers;

-aboriginal participation in annual First Ministers' Conferences; and

-mechanisms for aboriginal consent to constitutional amendments affecting their interests, including formal amending formula powers.

Mr. Speaker, I would now like to ask Mr. Lewis to continue with our report.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Justice, who has now assumed responsibility for the territorial correctional system. The Minister will know that many northerners are concerned about the almost total lack of correctional after care services in our communities.

When these offenders face considerable pressure as they attempt to adjust to their return to community living, they often have trouble finding new social networks, and many employers are unable to hire them. Yet, in most of our isolated communities, the correctional system provides almost no support during this period. I know, because I have been in this kind of a situation.

Can the Minister of Justice indicate what he is going to do to ensure that adequate resources are made available to support offenders upon release from incarceration?