Thank you, Mr. Braden. The first response will come from Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I agree we have so much red tape in the Northwest Territories that we could probably wrap this Legislative Assembly a number of times over and not find our way out. It has been a concern, especially when we talk to small business, the amount of hoops you have to go through to get some assistance to try and develop a small business. It is even more so a concern for the larger groups and developments.

Now we know there has to be some regulatory process in place that would ensure the land and water that keeps the North as it is protected. But we also have to find a way of reducing the amount. There are numerous organizations that take care of our land and water for us. I believe that is why we have to pressure the federal government to continue devolving responsibilities to the Northwest Territories, so that we can deal with our issues at home. We have a better feel for how it is going, and we have communities who have a better feel of how they want to see development happen.

But right now it is out of our hands and it becomes adversarial. We have to find a way of bringing that to the North so we have control over it, and we can implement or get rid of some of the regulation out there.

The Government of the Northwest Territories itself tried, in the 13^th Assembly, to bring back an “ominous bull”, as they called it, to get rid of some of this red tape. Sadly, though, as it came forward, it was nothing like what was discussed initially. It touched on a lot of housekeeping issues, but never really got to the crux of the issue of how do we clean it up, make it accountable, and make things flow so that when new opportunities develop in the North, businesses are clear on the processes they have to use. That is where we are going to have to go.

We are going to have to work with the feds and, again, develop partnerships with the aboriginal governments. What process is the best process for all of us? It is the Northwest Territories - it is time that we move past the baby feeding of Ottawa. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The Chair will now recognize Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We have been advocating the federal government should transfer responsibility for oil and gas, minerals, inland waters, all northern lands to the people of the North for some time now. Along with that would come the responsibility for a regulatory regime. The present regime, in large part, is not ours. We did not design it and we do not regulate it. All I can say is that I believe it should be ours. We should do it in partnership with aboriginal governments, and it should be simple and it should be efficient. It should regulate developers so the land, the environment, the wildlife, and the air are protected and proper safeguards are in place and monitored.

But it is true - it is cumbersome. It keeps investors and developers away. I know oil companies and mining companies very much want for a regime that is simple to understand and cost efficient and clear, and we would like to provide that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. The floor is still open for questions for the two candidates. Are there any more questions? The Chair recognizes the Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The first response will be from Mr. Kakfwi.

Mr. Chair, any of the major issues facing the government are always addressed by the deputy ministers. They have mechanisms in place for coordinating and sharing information. Where issues impact a number of departments, interdepartmental committees set up information and advice; perspectives from each department are shared through that process on issues like the deficit and the looming cost of running government. It is a government-wide concern and it will be addressed on a government-wide basis. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. The Chair now recognizes Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The fiscal situation we find ourselves in is very difficult, and I think that is where we once again get down to setting priorities as an Assembly. All Members, Cabinet, Ordinary Members, will sit down and discuss what are the issues we want to focus on. From the questions today, we know that education and health are priorities, as well as how do we get the new revenues. That ties directly into the self-government processes. If this government sets priorities such as clearing the slate and getting on with the development of the Northwest Territories, then I believe the Premier should be taking a lead role in one or more of the departments that would be directly responsible for dealing with bringing closure to some of these discussions around the table, or bringing a partnership arrangement around.

As well, we must realize we are going to have to take a serious look at government structures as they exist today, even from within our own environment in this Assembly and the number of Ministers and the number of departments. Can we really afford to continue on the status quo without taking a serious look at our priorities and how we deliver our programs and services to individuals? I do not believe we can. I believe this is the time, the 14^th Assembly, the 21^st century. It is time to get a move on and make the changes necessary to ensure programs and services are available to our residents and our children. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The Chair will now recognize the Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Given that I am the Member representing the Deh Cho, I feel I have to ask this question. It seems to be the opportune time. I also recognize that it is a federal responsibility, and I know the Members from North Slave and Yellowknife will be quite interested in the subject.

Over the last while, or more specifically over this fall, we have encountered a number of problems with the ferry service, and more recently, the ice bridge where the tanker truck went through the ice. Over the last couple of years, there has been increased traffic flow as the mining projects developed, and it is anticipated there will be more. I am very curious as to the positions that both candidates have and how committed they would be to talk to the federal government regarding a bridge at the Fort Providence/Mackenzie River crossing. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. A very specific question and the first response will go to Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I was fortunate enough to hold the portfolio of Transportation for a number of months when I was first elected as Cabinet Minister. At that time, we met with the other provincial Ministers in relation to the federal government and tried to stimulate discussion about highway infrastructure and what we can do. There is a national highway program out there, and the jurisdictions, as I am last aware, are still trying to ensure the federal government brings money to the table that we can focus on the national highway system.

The national highway system is based around highways that lead to the capital cities in each jurisdiction. The highway that leads from the Alberta border up to Yellowknife would be considered a priority highway. If the federal government were to put money into it, the crossing would have to be looked at.

So, yes, I think it is time again we pursue the federal government to realize that if it helps us develop, it will help itself by lowering the cost for keeping us going. I think we have to look at it long term. As well, it goes for the other highway strategies in the Northwest Territories. As I said in Caucus, I believe that if we can find some dollars towards a highway project and go to the federal government for matching dollars, that would put people to work in our communities. And that is vital. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The Chair recognizes Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The upgrade of the highway in recent years has been largely driven by the fact that the volume has been increasing, and it becomes more cost effective to pave than to provide a gravel highway after you hit a critical point.

I am certain that as we get more volume of business and visitor traffic that we will need to plan with the federal government for the day when perhaps a ferry needs to be replaced by a bridge. It needs to be done in the overall context of the national highway strategy. We know that on our own, we are unable to lever our money from the federal government to complete the highway system.

In recent years, though, we have worked with Saskatchewan, Alberta, B.C., and the Yukon to develop what we call a Western Canada Economic Outlook. That is, we recognize that the more development that occurs in the Territories, the more benefits flow to Alberta, to Saskatchewan, and B.C. Sometimes they make substantially more money than we do from our own developments, such as BHP.

If there is economic interest by other provinces in the neighbourhood to ensure there is some infrastructure developed in the North, we have their support. They are aware that it is in their interest to support us.

We have been doing that in order to make sure we can find some way to be part of a national capital budget allocations. We have a Member of Parliament. I think we can work on a strategy to complete and upgrade the Mackenzie Highway system, and the ferries are certainly going to be one that we should look at. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. The floor is still open for questions to candidates. Are there any more questions? The Chair recognizes the Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Mr. Chair, the question I would like to pose to both candidates relates to the question of symbols and heraldry and those things that represent and reflect all of the people of the Northwest Territories. I think I speak for everyone here, Mr. Chair, when I say the new Mace is a stunning piece of work that captures so much of what the new Northwest Territories is about.

There are other symbols, and other tasks associated with this representation. There will be a flag, a coat of arms, and a name. All options that we have already considered in the life of the previous government, and that I strongly and firmly believe should be considered again.

My question to the candidates is; what approach would your government take towards putting those new symbols in place for the new Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The first response will be from Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I was a part of the special committee that looked at issues like this. A number of years ago, I had given a speech here in the Legislature addressing the need for a new name. I still believe the Northwest Territories is not a name; it is a direction. It is a label, but not a name.

Attention is required on this issue. We cannot keep the Northwest Territories forever. It has to change. There will be a day when there will be aboriginal governments set up. There will be a day when an autonomous government with quasi- provincial status is here. It will need a name.

What process do we have for it? There is no particular process, but I know this intergovernmental forum we are setting up should be part of the agenda. Aboriginal people should have some input into the way we address these issues as a public government, as the Government of the Northwest Territories.

We set up a special committee to look at things like a new Mace, a flag and all of the different symbols that we need to look at. I was a part of that committee. I think it is very important to focus on the things we surround ourselves with. It is like decorating your own home. If it is your home, then you should decide how to decorate, what to hang on the walls, what kind of pictures should be in your halls and in your bedrooms. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. The Chair will now recognize Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I believe it is important to be recognized in our own country for our uniqueness. The Mace is a very good example. It is a symbol of our Territory from north to south, and from east to west. All of our communities have some part to play in it.

I would have to caution ourselves that yes, it is important, that we need to be recognized. It would have to be a priority that we set. In light of our fiscal situation, we have to look at what we can achieve for our people.

I believe the flag should be the next item we take a serious look at changing. I know it was discussed in the special committee. I am well aware that several businesses are quite concerned. They have developed a lot of their literature based on symbols of the previous government. They are concerned that in tight economic times they would be in a situation where they would have to revamp their look as a company. That is one of the costs of doing business in an ever-changing environment.

I do believe it is important we are recognized for our uniqueness. If that means we have to do more work in our symbols such as the flag, then that is important. But it will have to be measured in the context of what we have available to provide our residents. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The floor is still open for questions. Are there any further questions? If there are no further questions, do I have the Committee's agreement that question period is over?