Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I would like to first congratulate you on your successful election as Speaker of this House. I would also like to congratulate the Premier-elect, the honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley. I know both of you will do an excellent job. I would also like to personally thank the honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen, for nominating me today and for her confidence in my ability.
Mr. Chairman, fellow colleagues, ladies and gentlemen in the gallery and residents of the Northwest Territories, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to address you here today. I would like to start off by thanking my constituents, the residents of Hay River North, who were overwhelming in their confidence and support in me as they acclaimed me as their MLA. I do not take my responsibilities lightly. It is with great dignity that I take my place here with my colleagues in this, the 15th Legislative Assembly.
It is, indeed, an exciting time for the Northwest Territories as we look forward to developing the huge potential that this vast territory possesses in terms of our renewable and non- renewable resources, as well as our traditional economies. We are also faced with many challenges as attempt to develop and prosper from these industries. We must strive to reach a balance between the development of our resources and the protection of our very fragile environment. I believe that with the right team in place and a lot of hard work, these challenges can be turned into opportunities. I envision the next four years as being productive ones, as we continue in our quest to make the Northwest Territories a financially viable place to live and do business.
The stark reality is that we are faced with a deficit situation that threatens to put us in a position where we can no longer keep up with the development needs. We have to find creative ways to overcome this. One of the biggest roadblocks that we face is finding the financial resources necessary to keep up with the rapid pace of development. We need to keep the pressure on the federal government to realize its responsibility to our territory. Without the federal government's support we will be hard pressed to provide the infrastructure necessary to realize the full potential of increased development throughout the North.
Over the last several years this government has devoted a lot of energy for bringing the federal government to the table to deal with critical issues of devolution and resource revenue sharing. By their very nature these are complex issues. We must look at the work that has been done over the last four years with regard to resource revenue sharing and use this as a foundation to move forward towards getting an equitable deal for the Territories. We must work with all stakeholders to ensure that we get it right for the sake of our future generations.
We are also in the process of negotiating a new federal financing agreement with Ottawa, and we must come up with a better deal. Simply stated, the monies that we are provided by Ottawa to administer programs on their behalf is willfully inadequate. We have to get the federal government to recognize the uniqueness of this territory, and their investment must adequately reflect this.
As I have stated, our territory is unique. The fact that a large portion of our population resides in several small communities, we must never forget that these residents have every right to enjoy and expect a decent quality of life.
During the last Assembly, the Special Joint Committee on the Non-Tax-Based Community Affairs did an excellent job of identifying the issues affecting small communities. We need someone who understands the need for balance in addressing the needs of all northerners. As a Cabinet Minister, I would push for better integration, inclusion and improved delivery of programs and services in order that we may improve the standard of living in all our small communities.
As a Member of the 14th Legislative Assembly, we collectively created a document entitled "Towards a Better Tomorrow." This document identified many critical areas that we wanted to address in order to improve the quality of life for all northerners. Much work needs to be done to achieve our vision, and I would like to revisit this document and strengthen the approaches in areas where we were successful in making positive change and improvements. In areas where we were not successful in achieving our desired outcomes, we must take a new approach and find solutions so that our residents can truly realize a better tomorrow.
In setting our goals and objectives for the 14th Assembly, we placed a high priority on establishing partnerships with all levels of government and industry. It is vital that we must continue to build and strengthen these partnerships. In order to accomplish this, we must ensure that when we are making decisions on behalf of our partners that these decisions are made in consultation with all affected parties and not in isolation of them.
We have seen new strides made in advancing self- government negotiations and in settlement of various land claims. I know that it's in the best interest of our territory to keep a high priority on a timely resolution to outstanding land claims and self-government issues.
Another area that we need to continue to focus on is the social problems plaguing our communities. The advent of development in our territory in many cases leads to increased substance abuse. This far too often escalates into family violence and the destruction of the family unit. I believe we need to provide the resources necessary to ensure that our communities have the qualified people in place to deal with the myriad of issues surrounding addictions and family violence.
The education of our residents and the ability to retain qualified northerners is of paramount importance. We must do everything in our power to encourage our educated young people to return to the North to fill the many highly- skilled positions that will continue to become available. We are also very aware of the inevitable brain drain that will occur over the next several years due to our aging public service. We need to take the steps necessary to adequately address these key issues. In order for our young people to take advantage of the many employment opportunities that will open up in the resource sector, we need to place more emphasis on the trade fields in our high schools. I believe that this will spark interest amongst our youth and provide them with the opportunity to make productive choices for their future.
My decision to seek a Cabinet position is one that I have thought about a great deal. Over the last four years I have observed very closely the amount of work and dedication that is required of a Cabinet Minister. I have also thought about what qualities I could bring to the table that will have a positive impact on our government and our territory. I am a strong believer in the ethics of hard work, commitment, dedication and honesty, and I believe that any job worth doing is worth doing well. I believe that these are the qualities that got me elected four years ago as a Member of the 14th Legislative Assembly, and I believe it is what has gotten me acclaimed to the 15th Legislative Assembly.
These are the qualities that I intend to bring to Cabinet.
In addition, I have always maintained an open-door policy with all of my colleagues and all of my constituents, and I intend to continue this practice as I am a firm believer in openness, fairness and accountability. I am a strong supporter of consensus government. We have the opportunity here and now to concentrate our efforts on making consensus government work for the common good. We must strive to put consensus back into consensus government.
Over the last 30 years I have considered myself to be a very strong team player, whether it be in business, sport, volunteer organizations or serving as Member of the various standing committees that I was proud to be a part of during the last Assembly. I am totally convinced that in order for us to achieve our vision for a prosperous territory, it will only be done through a collaborative, team-orientated approach.
I want to be a part of a team that will work cooperatively with all 19 Members, and one that concentrates on the bigger picture; that of garnering the most resources for our territory in order that we ensure a better tomorrow for all of our people. The leader that we have elected here today has proven over the years to be a team player and has not given up on his team.
It is one of the primary reasons that I support him as our leader and have a strong desire to be a part of the team that will lead our government through the 15th Legislative Assembly.
Fellow colleagues, we have a lot of work to do and I have made this job and the work at hand my top priority. I have the total support of my constituents -- the residents of Hay River North -- I also have the unqualified support of my wife, Davida, and my entire family. I have the energy and I am prepared to roll up my sleeves and go to work for you and the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.
---Applause