NNSL (Jan 12/98) - Constitution-watchers will have to wait a week more than planned before they see the information package for the second round of constitutional talks.

The consultation package contains background information designed to inform Northerners of the process, issues and models being considered by the constitutional working group.

The package was originally scheduled to be released Feb. 11. But on Wednesday, after receiving an update on the development of the package, members requested a chance to review elements of it before its release.

"With the need to include that type of input we may want to consider delaying the launch date 10 or 12 days," said Andy Swiderski, a consultant working for the group.

Swiderski said it is still possible to reach the original target, but that would require immediate responses from members on the elements they wished to review.

Time must be allowed, noted Swiderski, for completing final drafts, printing the materials, and for the information to be reviewed by the communities before the workshops and consultations.

"If it's a matter of quality, it makes sense to delay it to me," said group member and Yellowknife North MLA Roy Erasmus.

"I want the quality to be good," said member Jane Groenewegen, MLA for Hay River. "But I don't want it to take so long that we miss that window of opportunity in March for us to get out to the communities." The group agreed to reset the release date to Feb. 18.

The second round of consultations will take place in two stages this time.

Immediately following the release of the package, representatives of the group will take it to each Western community.

During the same visit, contacts will be made with community leaders in preparation for workshops that will be conducted along with the consultations at later dates.

The package will be supported by a communications campaign that will include a media campaign, a 1-800 number for information and a Web site.