Mr. Chair…(English not provided)

I am very happy to be here today as an MLA and to be putting my name forward for consideration as a Cabinet Minister in the 16th Assembly. I would like to take a moment to thank the

voters of Nahendeh for their confidence and to express my gratitude for the honour and privilege to represent them once again.

There are three important facets in support of me submitting my name: one, my beliefs and background; two, the issues that I believe deserve a higher profile in the 16th Assembly and,

three, my personal attributes and capabilities. I do want to say, Mr. Chair, that in essence what I bring is experience, reliability and my approachability to this Assembly as a Minister.

But firstly, my beliefs and background. I was born in Fort Simpson. My childhood years were with my traditional parents, Phillip and Lucy Bonnetrouge, with whom I spent much time on the land hunting, trapping and living. I continue that appreciation today; the importance of our land and environment on our lives. My education includes schooling in Fort Simpson and attending Grandin College in Fort Smith as well as the Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific in B.C. My work experience includes being a researcher at the Dene Nation and

the LKFN First Nations before I settled into a career as a safety and maintenance technician with Enbridge Pipelines with whom I spent 17 years. Then I was elected as an MLA for Nahendeh in 2003.

I am in support of consensus government. I believe that it can and has produced the desired results for the residents of the Northwest Territories. Good government should be open, transparent, consultation on issues is fundamental and a willingness to acknowledge mistakes and correct them when they are made. Continuous improvement is an important attribute of an effective and efficient government.

As an aboriginal person born and raised in the North, I have a keen sense of aspirations of all our northerners. I would like to list several concerns and priorities that I have:

1. Modern, inclusive, prosperous economy with the

resources and authorities that will protect the environment as well as our non-renewable resources for the long term.

2.

A strong northern sustainable economy which will provide balanced sustainable development to improve standards of education, health care and housing for all residents.

3. A government, Mr. Chair, that strives to balance its

resources so that all regions get their fair share of government resources and programming. Some regions have their special projects, but I assure you, colleagues, that in time I see others getting theirs.

4.

Attention and leadership to the important environmental issues that affect us: climate change, emerging water and air issues.

5.

A northern society where seniors' needs are recognized and where our youth are given necessary tools to succeed in life and an opportunity for not just jobs, Mr. Chair, but careers.

As a Minister I will keep these values, goals and objectives in the forefront of my platform as I carry out my duties.

Secondly, I would like to highlight what I believe to be the three most pressing issues over the life of this coming Assembly. Environmental issues need to receive a much higher profile with our 16th Assembly. The oil sands development in Alberta

is resulting in pressures on the quality of water supply. Climate change is also impacting the way we do business in the North. Increased industrialization in places such as China is bringing ever-increasing quantities of airborne pollutants to our fragile environment. Although many of the causes of environment change originate outside the NWT, this does not mean that we cannot be proactive. The GNWT needs to be a leader and continue to stand up and bring higher profile to these issues in terms of provincial, national and international policy. At the same time, we need to walk the walk here in the NWT. Let’s not point fingers at others when we still produce our energy with diesel generators powered by imported fuel. Let’s not be quick to blame when we continue to stuff garbage into our landfills. We need to ensure that we, too, are an environmentally responsible jurisdiction.

Devolution and resource revenue sharing needs to conclude with the federal government in order to gain access to a greater level of resources. Issues such as housing, the environment, health care, education, economic development and our infrastructure deficit, to name just a few, require more resources than we have. As a Minister, I will be strongly in

favour of concluding a northern accord with Ottawa. I believe that with innovative mechanisms such as the establishment of a northern heritage fund, the inclusion of aboriginal governments in our discussions can be addressed in the way that allows us to move forward together.

Housing program accessibility is a close to home item that I would like to concentrate on. Housing programs and programming is no longer accessible to the people most in need. Currently we have created an administratively complicated Housing Corporation that must be reviewed. Here is a situation where we made a change in programming that is not benefiting our people. We must take another look at government’s approach and develop sensible solutions that work for the benefit of our people.

Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I would like to draw the attention of our own Members to some of the personal capabilities and attributes that I believe provide the basis for my selection as a Cabinet Minister:

1.

Experience. As an MLA in the last Assembly I gained increasing roles and responsibilities beginning with experience and knowledge of our committee system; firstly as chair of our Caucus and as chair of our Accountability and Oversight committee, as well as being a Member of the Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development and the Board of Management. Finally, I was also honoured with the trust and competence of the last Assembly to be selected as Minister. I gained valuable experience with those responsibilities of Minister of Transportation and the Minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board. Let me use this experience going forward in the 16th Assembly.

2.

Reliability. I took my responsibility for public office as an MLA and a Minister seriously. I had one of the best attendance records in the last Assembly in both the House and the committee systems. My view on this is simple: efficient and effective government is the result of efficient and effective representation.

3.

Approachability. I’m always approachable on any issue. I’m always willing to take time to discuss issues in an open, friendly and forthright manner. I will take the time to understand your issues, our issues, and provide timely answers.

To summarize, Mr. Speaker, I believe that my beliefs and political philosophy, my life experiences and my experiences as MLA and a Minister in the 15th Assembly are valuable assets

for this Assembly. I will continue to work just as hard in this Assembly as I did in the past. I can make one promise and that is to continue to be a reliable, approachable Minister who will work diligently using my experience to expose territorial and nationally our goals that we develop as a 16th Assembly. Mahsi

cho.

---Applause