I rise today to advise this Honourable House of the recent announcement of the three commissioners who will serve on the Royal Commission on Renewing and Strengthening our Place in Canada, and to table the Terms of Reference.

I am pleased that Mr. Vic Young, Sister Elizabeth Davis and Judge James Igloliorte will serve as commissioners. These individuals will work on behalf of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to help renew and strengthen this province�s place in the country and around the world.

Mr. Young, Sister Davis and Judge Igloliorte each have diverse skills and experience at senior levels of the public and private sector in Newfoundland and Labrador. Their collective accomplishments, experiences and skills will represent this province in a thoughtful, comprehensive and inclusive manner. I am certain that all parties in this House will support these commissioners as they undertake a vital and serious task on behalf of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

I am also confident that the people of Newfoundland and Labrador will support the work of the commission. While people may not always agree on how we can improve the position of our province in the Canadian federation and the global community, our citizens will no doubt express their own unique views on our future.

As Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, we need to review where we have been and where we are today. We need a renewed comprehensive plan for where we are going and how we can get there. We can make this happen.

To achieve this goal we must follow the principles of open discussion, respectful consideration of differing positions and innovative ideas for the future. We must work within the context of building rather than dividing, and we must put forward an articulate, strong statement about the condition of our province to build a future.

I wish the best of luck to the dedicated, conscientious individuals who have agreed to take on this monumental and imperative initiative. While they take the next few weeks to meet and discuss what their approach will be, the commission is expected to have its structure in place and be fully operational by June 1.

I encourage all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to consider what it is they want this province to be, and make their views known to the commission.

I am also pleased today to table in this Honourable House the Terms of Reference set out for the Royal Commission.

2002 04 23                          1:50 p.m.