Yes, I do.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank Mr. Steen, my colleague from Nunakput, for nominating me today and I would also like to thank the Members who put their names forward for Cabinet selection today. In any democratic process such as this it is good to have a variety of candidates to choose from. It is a privilege for each one of us that we have to serve in this Legislature, and each candidate today I can confidently say would make a worthy and capable contribution to the role of Cabinet Minister. There are only six short months to the end of our terms, and it will be important for new Ministers to move into their role and grasp the issues of their departments quickly. It will be important to have a cohesive group that can deal expeditiously with the important issues relevant to the future of our Western Territory.

Mr. Chairman, I do not plan to take long but I would just quickly like to outline a few points that I would like Members to consider today as they choose two candidates for Cabinet. We need diverse representation in Cabinet which reflects the makeup of our Western Territory, diverse in experience and background, diverse regions and ethnic origins. Presently in Cabinet it is interesting that each region is represented with the exception of the South Slave and the North Slave. I would promote and advocate for fairness to all regions, communities and people.

Good communication is equally as important as good listening skills are an invaluable asset to a Minister in this government. I believe that I have a well-balanced understanding of the fiscal, social and economic challenges facing our new territory. My background in business and community service also gives me a sound grasp of the issues facing each of our communities. I represent one relatively large community, and I represent a very small community, and I appreciate the importance of creating a legislative and policy environment that enhances development in all communities. I am not afraid of hard work, making decisions which are publicly defensible, or hearing and considering views and perspectives which may adjust my sense and understanding of a situation. I would serve and support the aspirations of your constituents and your ridings with respect and fairness. I believe that women do bring a unique perspective to the decision-making process which could enhance the deliberations of any Cabinet. One dictionary definition of Minister is "to render aid and service". A Cabinet post is a position of trust, placed in you by your colleagues, and it must be about service and leadership, not power and authority.

There are many pros and cons to being a Cabinet Minister versus a regular Member. Cabinet Ministers make more money, but they do not get to go home at the end of the session. They do not get to go home to their ridings at the end of the session, they stay here and continue to work. Ordinary Members can make independent statements and ask questions, even hard questions about anything they want to on behalf of their constituents, and Cabinet Ministers have to answer those questions. Ministers must balance their duty to their constituency with the sound management of the departments which they lead. Apart from work on committees, regular Members can place all of the focus on their constituents. I have considered all the pros and cons and, like my other colleagues who you will also be considering voting for today, would like to offer what I can in the service of this government and the people of the new Western Territory. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, what we are doing here today is electing the first Cabinet of the new Northwest Territories. We all have been working together for the last three and half years, we know each other in this particular environment quite intimately, so my comments will be somewhat brief. I would just like to stress a few points, if I may. One issue of concern for the first Cabinet of the new Northwest Territories, I think, is that it be balanced, balanced in terms of regional representation. Like my colleague from Hay River, I just want to point out that the biggest region in terms of population is the South Slave, and they are not represented at the Cabinet table, even though there are, in my opinion, qualified people to sit there. I think we have to consider that factor when we look at this first Cabinet that we are going to be choosing here today. I think we also want to look at what kind of Cabinet do we want for the last six months of our term and for, more importantly, the first six months of the new Northwest Territories.

I would hope that we would be putting together a Cabinet where teamwork is critical, where leadership is critical, where we work as a team not only with each other as Cabinet Ministers but with all our colleagues in this House, with the aboriginal governments in the Western Territory, with the municipalities, and all the other main groups and people that we represent. I think it is critical for the Cabinet that we are going to pick to consolidate and try to complete a lot of the initiatives that we have started as the 13th Assembly. Particularly in the area of the economy and the political initiatives that we have started to try to deal with the thorny issues such as boundaries and constitutional development, and the relationship between a strong, central public government and the aboriginal governments.

Mr. Chairman, the person going on Cabinet has to have a strong work ethic, and I like to think, Mr. Chairman, that I work hard. I know that I come in early and I will stay late and I will take the time necessary to get the work done. I try to come up with solutions, bringing creativity and compromise to the table. My own experience has been mainly with government, most of my working experience: 19 years, 300 and some days; four with Public Works; fifteen with Health and Social Services, six as superintendent. I also was involved in municipal politics for six years, two and a half as mayor full-time, and I did a six-month stint as acting regional director. Combine that with experience I have had in this House, working with social programs as deputy chair, co-chair of main Caucus, chair of Western Caucus; and I like to think I have the skills and ability to do the job that is required. On that basis, I put my name forward and am asking for your support. My one final comment would be that, regardless of the outcome of the deliberations here today, Mr. Chairman, I think it is critical that we all continue to work together, all of us, to make sure that we have a strong, positive start for the new Northwest Territories. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Colleagues, ladies and gentlemen that are in the gallery. First of all, I would like to thank Mrs. Groenewegen for nominating me this morning. What are some of the matters that I see that are of importance as a Cabinet Minister, you may ask. Let me start by saying that we are in exciting times here in the Northwest Territories. We are on the eve of an interesting future, the creation of a new Western Territory. There is no doubt in my mind that our territory is on the brink of a dynamic and prosperous era. Call it an adventure, if you want, and adventure that will instill excitement and enthusiasm in our people; not fear or jealousy of being outshone by the attention and publicity being showered on, and for another three days, upon Nunavut.

Our time has come, and April 1st will be the first milestone of many. We are embarking on a journey in defining new government structures, our aboriginal societies are leading examples to the rest of Canada in this whole area and I applaud all of our political and community leaders for their patience, understanding and wisdom while this process of defining our land claims and self-governments and governments are seeking a resolution.

April 1st sends us out of the start gate towards a compelling new beginning in the new millennium and as MLAs we are all very involved in matters that are of fundamental importance to our communities, to our cultures, and to our peoples' lives, and to compare us to Nunavut and say we are just sitting on our laurels is wrong. We are more established, we are more advanced. Here in the west we have an experienced central government and departments with defined programs with long-term dedicated personnel who have and continue to serve the public with great dedication. At this time of tight financial times, western communities are demonstrating their initiatives in creative ways in dealing with local responsibilities. We will shortly have two diamond mines in operation, with two more on the drawing boards, and our desires for value-added industry is bearing fruit. Soon, some 30 to 50 people will be employed in the valuation and cutting plants, and there is no doubt in my mind that within a few short years there will be several hundred people employed in the value-added industries. I am sure we will also soon see the revitalization of interest and development in our extensive oil and gas fields.

In the coming years we will, no doubt, face many difficult decisions. There is a need, in cooperation with the aboriginal governments, to reach a Northern Accord, so that the people of the north will have control over resource development and receive the direct royalty and taxation benefits of such development. We have to address the major concerns of our front line workers, the teachers and nurses. One of the most important and effective ways to deal with our future needs, both physical and social, is through economic growth and job creation. Job creation and economic activity has to come from somewhere and, for me, it comes not just from the development of non-renewable resources such as mining and oil and gas, but also from such areas as fisheries, forestry, harvesting and marketing of country foods, arts and crafts and tourism.

The development of our renewable resources sector goes beyond mere economic benefits, but the heart of most communities. Northern people have always relied on the land and animals for their survival and it continues to play an integral part of our economy today. Those are some of my thoughts as to what is important for a Cabinet Minister to be aware of, Mr. Chairman. Now let me talk about teamwork. As we all know, Cabinet is teamwork. Each Member must contribute to the ultimate goal of service to the people of the north. A Cabinet Minister must be an individual, an individual who is strong, an individual who can stand on his or her own two feet, an individual who will be independent enough to deal with the many tough and difficult decisions that need to be made. A Minister's role should not be such that his or her service to the Ordinary Members is lost, nor to his or her Cabinet colleagues.

All of us, Mr. Chairman, and I repeat all of us, have different skills, abilities and experiences to bring to the table. What are the skills of a leader you might ask that I consider important? Integrity; integrity, Mr. Speaker; honesty; honesty, openness and openness. A leader who can direct government programs and re-direct those programs if they are ineffective. A leader who can stimulate and direct government employees to implement the government's policies and agendas set by us here as a Legislature. A leader who can represent a broader constituency of people across the Northwest Territories. A Cabinet Minister who can relate to the very wide spectrum of people across the north, but also relate with those on the national stage. A Cabinet Minister who is strong enough to be recognized, respected and perceptive enough to be approachable.

In closing, Mr. Chairman, I would like to say that I will not shy away from a challenge. I will not shy away from the issues. I am committed to making a positive contribution to the people of the Northwest Territories because they are the number one priority. That is why we are here. I have watched the Members of Cabinet, the amount of hours that they put in, Mr. Chairman, and that for me is not a question. I would personally be very honoured if you voted for me. On that note, Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank you and thank my colleagues for this time and as my final closing remark, let me say that we are in exciting times indeed. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, my thanks to the Member from Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger, for nominating me. Mr. Chairman, this is my third go at election to Cabinet now and I am gaining a little experience in how to put forward speeches, if nothing else. There are a couple of points that I think are worth bringing out here. I may have not emphasized in the past that I can make contributions, I believe, towards Cabinet as a Cabinet Minister, in particular in the area of MACA, transportation or aboriginal affairs. Those are particular departments that I have been dealing with in the Infrastructure Committee. Also, I have spent 13 years as a Justice of the Peace in the past so I have some experience in making unpopular decisions when they are necessary. Also, it gave me some insight into the justice department and how it operates.

One of the things that I would like to ensure is that there is equal representation of Cabinet across the territory. I think it is important to point out that our territory includes Holman Island at this point. We must make some assurance towards that community that they are going to be part of this territory and they are, in fact, part of this territory as of April 1st. I think they would like to see a representative from their area on Cabinet to help work with them and bring a smooth transfer into the west from the Kitikmeot region. I would like to gain experience in Cabinet on making decisions in all aspects of the government. I think that it is very beneficial to anyone that has that experience. I am looking forward to it. I also look forward to supporting the Premier regardless of what portfolios are given. I also look forward to supporting the rest of the Cabinet Members if I was elected, and respecting their decisions and opinions in reaching decisions. I would work cooperatively with them. That is not to say that I would completely wash my hands of the Ordinary Members. I would look forward to working with Ordinary Members and listening to their opinions. As I have done in the past, I would give everybody an equal chance to say whatever they want to say and then try in the end to reach some kind of compromise because we definitely need that.

It does not matter whether I am on Cabinet or whether I am still an Ordinary Member, I am still going to be working towards perhaps encouraging the younger Members to be more cooperative and compromise amongst each other. Mr. Chairman, I do not know if there is any other point that I wish to bring out at this time that would have much influence on the decisions of the Members. I believe everybody came here, to some degree, with their mind already made up, so with that I would thank any of the Members that would want to vote for me, or will vote for me. I will be the same guy afterwards. Thank you.

--Applause

Secret Ballot Election

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I wish to thank the Members for their support. I am really kind of tongue-tied here. I will offer to do my best representing each riding in the territories in whatever portfolio I am assigned. I will support Cabinet to the best of my ability. I thank you again for your support. Thank you.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am sure this is not the first time that I will be deferring to the senior elder of our Assembly here. I, as well, would like to thank the Members here. My heart rate is just about back to normal. I know this has been a gruelling sort of time for everybody. We have lots of work to do, and I as well, look forward to working with Cabinet and the rest of the Ordinary Members and the Premier to make sure we head off into a new Northwest Territories in a really strong positive way. Thank you.

--Applause