Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues. First, I would like to thank my friend and colleague for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland, for nominating me. The decision to run for office, as we all know, is never an easy one. You have to be willing to put yourself on the line, stand up before your colleagues and take a chance that in fact, you may not get the support that you think is there for the job that you put yourself forward for.
For me, after careful consideration with my family, friends, colleagues and constituents, I stand here to offer myself as a candidate for this Legislature and this Cabinet. In order for me to do that, there were certain things that I felt I had to do so that I could, in fact, stand here and make that offer. As I indicated in the
House earlier this week, I have met with the Premier. I would like to restate, as I did Monday, that I have confidence in the Premier.
I am also confident, Mr. Chairman, that I can work effectively and in partnership with other Members of Cabinet, the Premier as well as the Members of this House.
The Premier and I go back almost 40 years. We have, outside of our political relationship, a personal relationship. This week, we also had a chance to briefly talk about that and the value that it has now and hopefully long after our time in political office is finished.
The election of Minister is the last act of a drama we are trying to bring closure to, to allow us to get back to the business of government and on with the work of the people. We are halfway through our term, Mr. Chairman. We have clear direction set with Towards a Better Tomorrow about where we want to go and how we want to get there.
Whoever is selected as a new Minister needs to be able to move on with that work. It is going to be critical, Mr. Chairman, that the person who is picked is able to become functional and effective very quickly. There is no time to waste. We are down to our last two years. I believe I have the background to allow me to do that.
Some of you know me well, some of you not as well. I would just like to quickly touch on a few things about myself.
I am a strong supporter of lifelong learning. I have a degree in sociology. I am a journeyman carpenter. I am also at work on my Masters in continuing education, which I would like to state at this point that if I am selected, I will put on hold so I can do the job at hand.
Prior to becoming an MLA, I was the mayor of Fort Smith and a town councilor. I sat on the NWTAM and was Chair of the South Slave regional council. I also have 20 years of government experience, 15 of those were at the superintendent and management level with Health and Social Services. I have spent six years in this Legislature, Mr. Chairman. Some of those years have been as a Regular Member. I have been Chair of Caucus, Chair of Western Caucus, on the Standing Committee on Social Program and was on the previous Assembly's Government Operations committee. I was also the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, the Workers' Compensation Board and the Public Utilities Board.
In addition to those qualifications, Mr. Chairman, I would just like to point out as well that I believe that I have the work ethic that is necessary for this job. In fact, when I am here in Yellowknife, I even tend to beat Minister Handley into the office in the morning, which takes some doing as he is already legendary for the time he spends at work.
I have also made very conscious lifestyle choices to be as effective a person as possible. When I talk about lifestyle choices, Mr. Speaker, I do not drink anymore, I do not smoke. I think these are important things that allow me to stay healthy and be able to do the job that is necessary.
If I were to become the new Minister, there are some things that I believe are very important.
It is critical for the Regular Members and Cabinet Ministers to stay connected outside of committee meetings on a day to day basis. It is important to have someone with a strong track record that demonstrates the ability to work and connect public government and aboriginal governments. There are many, many issues we share in common and we have to be able to deal with those productively.
I believe it is important for the Ministers to go into the communities and constituencies with the MLAs to hear first hand from the people of the communities what there issues are and to share their ideas. It is very important to work closely with committees on a day to day basis, not just when we have to, but in a way that will allow the Minister to get regular feedback, direction and advice from the committees in a very proactive and cooperative way as befits a consensus government.
It is very important to maintain that positive relationship, and as a Cabinet Minister I will commit to an open door policy. I will commit to being a regular visitor throughout the hallways of this building, not only the Cabinet end but the Regular Members' end. I have been down that end for five years and I know the critical nature of staying connected if we want to move the agenda ahead of this government.
I agree fully that it is important that Cabinet works together as a team to bring all our energies and abilities to bear. I tried to do that when I was on Cabinet last time, and I intend to bring that same kind of effort and enthusiasm to the table this time.
The issues and directions we need to continue moving on have been clearly established in this Assembly, so I will not repeat them. The key, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chairman, is we need a Minister with the qualifications and experience that can be effective quickly and be part of the team. I believe I have those qualifications and experience, and will be looking for your support.
Finally, I would like to speak just briefly on three things that are very important to me. Mr. Speaker, as I grew up I learned from my parents that there are some things that are important -- my word, honour and integrity. I bring that, I have brought that to the Assembly and in all the work that I have done in my life. I commit to this House that if put on Cabinet I will also bring those very critical values to the Cabinet table so that I can add to the benefit of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.
-- Applause