Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. As we listen to people and their needs about consultation, I think creativity is about listening as well. We’ve heard what the Aboriginal, at the meeting with our Aboriginal groups last week, that our policy is not enough. We have to have a consultation protocol coupled with recognizing Aboriginal governments as governments. That will take part of working with Aboriginal groups and then when it comes to legislation and/or changing government policy, we do have to involve the whole of the Northwest Territories and they still don’t feel involved. My Cabinet would develop a communications strategy that would work with all communities and regions.

Questions By Members
Election of the Premier

The Chair Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. It appears that there are no further questions for the Premier candidates. Before we vote I’d like to thank all candidates who agreed to put their names forward for Premier. This is a long morning but we have given all confidence that whoever’s chosen to be our Premier will be up for the job.

I think this morning’s process indicates that the process we use to select our Premier is an open and transparent one. It’s also no cakewalk. We had 26 questions and 78 answers.

---Applause

Order!

---Laughter

Members are now asked to proceed to the Clerk’s table where they will receive a ballot. If Members could please proceed to voting booths, mark your ballot, and then place it into the ballot box located in front of the Clerk’s table. Are there any more Members… Okay. Yeah. Moving on. Vote time.

Voting
Election of the Premier

The Chair Jackie Jacobson

I declare the voting process closed. The ballot box will be now taken to the Clerk’s office where the ballots will be counted. We will have a short break.

---SHORT RECESS

Results
Election of the Premier

The Chair Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, colleagues. I’ll wait for everyone to be seated. I declare that you have elected Mr. Bob McLeod as Premier-elect for the Northwest Territories. Congratulations. The appointment will be confirmed tomorrow by motion in the House. I would now like to give Mr. McLeod the opportunity to say a few words. Thank you.

---Applause

Statement By Premier-Elect Bob Mcleod
Election of the Premier

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chair, colleagues. I am very humbled by your support for me as Premier. I pledge I will do the best job that I can to work with all of you in the best interests of the people of the Northwest Territories.

I want to congratulate my friends and colleagues who put their names forward for Premier, Mr. Michael Miltenberger, Mr. Kevin Menicoche. Our last names all start with M, so if we were a hockey team, we would be the 3M line.

---Laughter

But there’s also one other connection that perhaps not many of you know, but all three of us went to Grandin College, so there was a good chance that the Premier today was going to be from Grandin College. When I think of Grandin College I think of Father Pochat and all of the other students that we went to school with. I was very grateful for that.

I want to thank my family for their support and unconditional love. My wife, Melody, who is not here right now but was here earlier; my son, Warren; my brother Michael; my niece Brenda, thank you very much. Again, I want to thank all the MLAs here for their support. As I said on election night, we have a very experienced, competent, talented group of MLAs and we’re going to get the job done.

I want to thank all of the people from Fort Providence and Yellowknife that supported me, my campaign team that worked very hard to get me re- elected. In times like this you always reflect on where you grew up, in Fort Providence. My mom and dad were very supportive. My dad didn’t care too much for politicians. Every chance he got when they came to the door, he chased them away…

---Laughter

…until my brother got elected, and for a long time they called him the black sheep of the family.

---Laughter

But he was very interested in politics and I’m sure he would be very proud that both of us got involved in politics.

I also have to talk about my grandsons. They make you appreciate life and how important life is. My wife was trying to explain to them that I was running for Premier and she was having a hard time explaining to them. They said, well, he’s already the Prime Minister.

---Laughter

But they are pretty good politicians in their own right.

I want to thank all the people who called me, sent me e-mails, texted me – I’m not on Facebook – and offered me their support. To those people who prayed for me all night, I’ll say thank you, it worked.

I want to recognize Members of the 16th Assembly

that are moving on. Premier Floyd Roland; thank you, Floyd. I’ll be seeking your counsel. Speaker Paul Delorey, my brother Michael, David Krutko, Sandy Lee. To all the Aboriginal leaders that are here, thank you very much for coming. I think this is a good way to show we can start working together. We are going to get on that right away, as soon as the Assembly puts forward the Cabinet. I’m sure they are going to do a very good job.

I want to say good luck to all of you putting forward your names for MLAs. I think it’s very important to show that consensus government works, the more people we have running for office. I look forward to whomever you put in Cabinet and I pledge to work with all of you so we can get things done. Thank you very much. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Statement By Premier-Elect Bob Mcleod
Election of the Premier

The Chair Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. I will now adjourn the proceedings for this morning. We will reconvene at 1:30 this afternoon for the election of the Executive Council members. Thank you.

---LUNCH RECESS

Election of Ministers
Election of Ministers

The Chair Jackie Jacobson

Thank you. I’d like to call the Territorial Leadership Committee back to order. The next item on the agenda is the election of the Executive Council. In accordance with our agreed upon procedure, I will ask Members to indicate whether they wish to allow their names to stand for the Executive Council positions. A two, two and two geographic balance on Cabinet will govern all aspects of the selection process. Once Members indicate their interest, we will entertain a 10-minute speech from each nominee. Before we proceed to voting, let’s get things underway.

I will ask all Members from the northern constituencies that wish to allow their names to stand for a position on the Executive Council to rise. Mr. McLeod, Mr. Lafferty, Mr. Yakeleya.

I would like to ask the Members from the southern constituency that wish to allow their names to stand for a position on the Executive Council to rise. Mr. Menicoche, Mr. Miltenberger, Mr. Beaulieu, Mr. Nadli.

I would bring the portion of proceedings to an end… Sorry, sorry.

---Laughter

I already forgot Yellowknife. I apologize.

---Applause

---Laughter

To bring this portion of the proceedings to an end, I will ask the Members from the Yellowknife constituencies that wish to allow their names to stand for a position on the Executive Council, please rise. Ms. Bisaro, Mr. Abernethy, Mr. Ramsay, Mr. Bromley, Mr. Hawkins.

Therefore, nominees for Executive Council positions are as follows: for northern constituencies are Mr. Lafferty, Mr. Robert McLeod, Mr. Yakeleya; for southern constituencies: Mr. Beaulieu, Mr. Menicoche, Mr. Miltenberger, Mr. Nadli; for Yellowknife: Mr. Abernethy, Ms. Bisaro, Mr. Bromley, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Ramsay.

So we’ll start off with each candidate permitted to make a 10-minute speech. The speeches will be made in alphabetical order by geographic area. Mr. Lafferty.

Mr. Lafferty’s Candidacy Speech
Candidates' Speeches
Election of Ministers

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. [English translation not provided.]

Mr. Chair, I would like to begin by offering my sincere congratulations to you on your acclamation as our Speaker and also Bob McLeod for being elected Premier. Congratulations to both of you.

I’d like to thank my wife, Dianne, and my children, Jayde, Cheyenne, Sahara, Denae and Ty, for their constant support. I would also like to thank the Tlicho constituency to give me the strong mandate to serve as their MLA. I appreciate their trust and confidence in me. Mahsi cho.

As we look to select a new government for the Northwest Territories we need to look for a government that is accountable and transparent, also a government that’s responsible, a government that will consult with its people and work together to meet the needs of our northern communities.

I, Mr. Chairman, would like to be part of this government. I am here to express my interest in becoming a Cabinet member for the 17th Assembly

government. I am honoured to be among all of you and look forward to working with each and every one of you, focussing on making changes for the betterment of the Northwest Territories as a whole.

I see the government of the 17th Assembly as a

progressive and truly accountable public government. The people of the North deserve a government that will listen to them, to take their direction to the next level, a government that is not afraid of changes, but also a government that believes in consultation.

This government will find innovative ways to work with all potential partners for the betterment of all Northerners. This is a government with a true vision.

As an MLA in the 15th Assembly, I made Aboriginal

language, culture and education of our youth a priority and demanded the government, at that time, be accountable for education. I take great pride in my language and culture. I have always made a point of speaking my language in the House here in the Legislative Assembly and also in public. I promote and acknowledge those individuals in our communities who share their culture. I recognize elders as keepers of our way of life, professors of our traditional knowledge.

I had the privilege of service as Minister of Education, Culture and Employment during the 16th Assembly to make education, language and culture as that government’s top priority. Under my leadership, initiatives were implemented recognizing individuals who have contributed significantly to education in the North, including the Education Hall of Fame, the Culture Circle which recognizes elders and youth who have contributed their culture, language and experience to education.

In March 2010 was the first territorial-wide Aboriginal Language Symposium ever, which resulted in the NWT Aboriginal Languages Strategy. This came into being because of consultations and collaboration with language experts and elders from across the Northwest Territories. This strategy will be implemented during the 17th Assembly.

Under my leadership, the Aboriginal Student Achievement Initiative was launched. This was an historical achievement. Boards of education, Aboriginal leadership and GNWT, through community consultations, agreed and signed a commitment to ensure to implement this initiative to work together to better serve our Aboriginal youth to increase educational achievement.

It is time we start listening to the people of the North, Mr. Chair. This government needs to be more visible in the communities. We, all of us here today, need to see firsthand all the issues and concerns smaller communities are faced with on a daily basis. No more of these decision-making directly from headquarters without the understanding and witnessing the root causes of the problems at hand.

We need to be out there talking to the people that we are accountable to. Talking to our people is a necessary part of effective governance throughout the year. This also allows valuable input from community members, community leaders; better understanding between public government and vice versa.

Community elders are asking how to know their government, to know who they are dealing with on a constant basis, to know who the decision-makers are that are affecting every aspect of their lives. They want to meet the Ministers and the deputy ministers from their departments.

Our elders are leaders in their own right, having ensured the survival of their people, their land and their culture. They deserve to be treated with respect.

The newly elected Cabinet should be visiting all 33 communities on a frequent basis, constantly, as they represent the departments that are responsible for the day-to-day operations.

We need a government that is proactive, as opposed to being reactive. The last government seemed to react to issues or problems that arose. We need to set standards according to the communities’ needs. We need to be involved with them at all levels. Community visits are one small step towards understanding better the community issues, better communication and, ultimately, better governance.

We need to commit to consulting and being accountable to the people of the Northwest Territories. We need to recognize and finalize all outstanding land claims and self-government issues in order to move forward as a united, one voice, one northern voice.

My vision as a representative of the Tlicho people and Member of this government, the 17th Assembly,

is a government that’s transparent, accountable, open to hearing the needs of the people of the Northwest Territories. It is a government that will not stand simply for the status quo; a government that is creative, innovative; a government that is committed to following through with its promises; a government that shows results. It is a government that will show Ottawa the importance of the Northwest Territories to this country as a whole.

Candidates' Speeches
Election of Ministers

The Chair Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Robert C. McLeod.

Mr. Robert McLeod’s Candidacy Speech
Candidates' Speeches
Election of Ministers

October 25th, 2011

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I stand before you today to put my name forward for a position on Cabinet Executive Council again. Before I start, though, I would like to commend all the candidates who put their name in this morning for Premier and congratulate all my colleagues for their election.

I also want to commend all candidates across the Northwest Territories for putting their name forward. As we’re all well aware, going through a campaign is awfully difficult, it’s awfully difficult on the families more so than us. Having said that, I need to thank my family for their unconditional support as I continue to do the work as MLA for Inuvik Twin Lakes. It’s one of the reasons I got into politics to begin with, was because I believe I can make a difference. I believe that I can make a difference and a future for my children’s and your children’s lives, and my grandchildren’s and your grandchildren’s lives. I thought I could make a difference in that. If you don’t have grandchildren now, you will soon enough, and when they do come, they are a blessing. Mark my words. They are expensive, but they are a blessing.

---Laughter

I also have to thank the residents of Inuvik Twin Lakes for their ongoing support and encouragement as I go about my work. Some of our biggest critics are our constituents back home, especially some of the elders. If you’re not doing your job, they will let you know. I think we’re all well aware of that. I have to thank them. Their support has just been much appreciated. I’m just humbled by the whole thing.

Mr. Chairman, congratulations to yourself also and to Premier-elect Bob McLeod.

We have a future ahead of us, I think, in the 17th Legislative Assembly that’s ripe with promise. It will be challenging. There will be challenging times. There will be times when we’re not going to agree with each other and that’s fine. That’s the way it should be. I’ve heard the term “healthy tension” as something that’s needed in here to keep everybody on their toes, especially those that are on the Executive Council. I look forward to working with Members of this Assembly. I think I’ve proven over the past three years during my time on Executive Council that I’m quite capable of handling the work that’s put before me. I think I’ve proven that I put the needs of the residents of the Northwest Territories first.

We’ve done a lot of good work in the 16th Legislative Assembly and I think a couple of the Premier candidates may have mentioned this

morning the money that’s gone into youth under the watch of the 16th Legislative Assembly. As much as

I would like to take credit for it, it wasn’t really something that I did. I think it’s something that collectively in this Assembly we recognized the importance of the youth in the future of the Northwest Territories. We put our money where our mouth is. They appreciated that and I would encourage the Members of the 17th Legislative

Assembly to follow along those same lines. I know we have a former youth worker from MACA amongst our new Members and I’m sure he’ll keep our feet to the fire on this one. I’m looking forward to that.

Something that troubled me this morning when one of the Premier candidates was speaking, was the fact that we’ve lost $300 million in the last five years. To me that’s unacceptable. I think last Friday’s meeting with the Aboriginal government was a good start in trying to collectively advance the issue of Northerners taking control of the North instead of being dictated to all the time. Those days, in my opinion, should be over. I think it’s a decision that this Assembly is going to have to make. In my opinion, these are probably the most important four years in any Legislative Assembly. There are some big projects on the horizon.

We have devolution. I think that needs to be ironed out. Imagine what we could do with our share of the $300 million. We have people in the communities saying, well, we want houses, we want more programs for our youth, we want this, we want that. One of the Aboriginal leaders said the other day we have to quit bickering. I found those words very true. I think we do have to quit bickering. We’re all off to the side bickering here. There are truckloads of money going off on another road to Ottawa and we don’t see it again. They say, well, we give you transfer payments. What are we? A welfare state? I don’t think so. We have untold resources beneath our feet here and we have to be the ones to take advantage of it. I would hate to see something like a project like Mackenzie Valley Pipeline go ahead and the potential royalty monies that would come from that. That would go a long way to improving the lives of the people in the Northwest Territories.

We have to position our young people where they are able to take advantage of those opportunities. I truly believe we need to have a good training program for our young people, through some of the different departments, through Education, and we try to get a lot of our young people into training. We need our young people to take up arms. Well, no, not take up arms; take up pens and pencils and go back, get their education and be the ones that take advantage of all that the North has to offer.

I look forward to the next four years. I’ve proven that I am capable of handling any portfolio that comes. I commit to the Members that my door is

always open, except when it’s closed. As Minister of Housing it was closed a lot over the last three years. I commit to that. I have a good working relationship with all 16, no, it’s 14, 14 returning Members, and I know I’ve had the opportunity to meet some of the new folks. I like the balance they bring to the Legislative Assembly. I look forward to a good, healthy debate the next four years.

All I can promise you, colleagues, is honesty, integrity, hard work, and these are some principles that I try to live by. I try to take people at their word unless they prove me otherwise. I’m not afraid to make hard decisions, but I’ll give you the rationale for those decisions.

As I said, this is not about me. I think this is about collectively as a group working together for the betterment of the people in the Northwest Territories over the next four years. I look forward to the confidence the Members may show me to help me be part of this group that advances all issues of all residents of the Northwest Territories over the next four years.

Candidates' Speeches
Election of Ministers

The Chair Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Yakeleya.

Mr. Yakeleya’s Candidacy Speech
Candidates' Speeches
Election of Ministers

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Congratulations on your role as Speaker, Mr. Jacobson. You’re the first Inuvialuit to be a Speaker. Also to the elected Premier, Mr. Bob McLeod, congratulations. To all the candidates who put their name forward as Ministers and Premiers.

Friends and colleagues, I stand here today to seek your support as I place my name forward as a member of our Cabinet, working through consensus to promote partnership, understanding and collaboration to best serve our people. We set that tone in our historic meeting last Friday as we met with the NWT leaders to acknowledge their leadership, their perspective, their voice, and put forth our willingness to listen and work together. Respect, listening and understanding, an open door, working together through consensus are principles that will guide my work here and in Cabinet. These principles should be both our intent and our actions.

When I was young I experienced firsthand the challenge of residential school in Inuvik. I learned how to take orders and follow rules. I struggled through the challenges of loneliness, fear, and the sense of isolation, and felt that I didn’t have a voice. I was determined to find a better way so that others would not have to suffer the way I did. That experience taught me to have inner strength. It taught me to claim my individuality. I became chief in my community of Tulita as a young man. In addition to the role of chief, I followed a career in the field of health and healing. I worked as a

facilitator for healing and as program manager. My practice ranged from individuals in treatment to government funders, program staff and to families.

I learned about working together from my elders. How to listen. How to decide on the right action to take based on my actions and on their experience and point of view together with my own thinking. Working with my elders led me to see things differently.

By working with people to build consensus I earned their trust and was given an even greater responsibility: I went on to become the chair of the Sahtu Tribal Council. I became the chief negotiator for the Sahtu Land Claim Agreement. Then I was asked to work on the Tulita Self-Government Agreement as their chief negotiator.

In 2003 I was encouraged to run for the Sahtu MLA. I am grateful to my constituents and humble for their faith in me. I’m proud to say that this is my third term in the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly.

Through all these roles I learned that to build consensus takes the same thing that it takes to build success: creating a team, keeping it focused by having a plan and clear goals, and respecting each other’s accomplishments while working together. Appreciating the different strengths and talents that people bring to the table. We are sitting here today to reflect the diversity of our great territory. Individually we are as different as our constituencies. Sometimes differences can make us go into separate corners. If we take the time to understand our difference, they can be a positive force for change. It is those same differences that make us strong, that we stand together in agreement while walking in truth. There are many paths to success, and the more we work together to reach a common goal, the more chances we have of building a self-sustaining community which educates and develops its people, giving them access to resources that can bring new opportunities never imagined before now.

Cabinet needs team players who are also leaders. Cabinet members must be people who have the flexibility necessary to see the different paths and that different paths can lead us to the same place.

My elders tell me there is always more than one solution. It is in a higher value that brings us into consensus, integrity, honesty and wisdom, and a deep desire to make life better for our children and their children. The common ground we need to get may not be easy to reach. We have big issues ahead of us, issues that affect the life of the Northwest Territories residents every day: cost of living, food, health, social issues, housing, and to name a few other larger issues that will impact our lives such as the economy, wildlife, education and

devolution. (Inaudible)…we, as government, will have to carry in meeting all those issues in a restrictive fiscal environment. Not only are the issues large, they’re complex. We have seen how the pressure to solve these big issues can create division. Divisions can shift the focus from the problem to the process. We haven’t had the time and the money to allow this to happen anymore. We need a strong plan in place now.

A strong plan needs strong Cabinet members, Cabinet members who have the experience to make wise decisions and the courage and the character to make tough decisions, cabinet members who are also flexible who will help us to see the difference not as problems but as different paths to the same solution, and we need members who will follow through and be accountable once decisions have been made. We need Cabinet members who will work from consensus with a standard of excellence as our normal way of working, because united we can focus on solving challenges and moving forward.

This Assembly will set priorities for our government and give us direction. This Assembly will keep Cabinet and the Premier accountable and make sure they are focussed on results. This Assembly will give us guidance to make changes as the plans unfold. Cabinet will have to see guidance from this Assembly and from our partners in a consensus government on new issues that come up. We already know they will.

As a Cabinet member my door will always be open. I am comfortable in building the bridge between Cabinet and our communities. As a Cabinet member I will continue to support the Northern Leaders’ Forum to ensure that communities feel connected to us. This Assembly will set the priorities for our government. This Assembly will do its job.

As a Cabinet member I have three basic commitments that will guide all the work that I do. My first commitment is to make consensus our way of doing business. My second commitment is returning to the basics of doing business. My third commitment is to work as part of a Cabinet team to complete major initiatives.

Our territory will benefit from the fibre optic line down the Mackenzie Valley. The highway from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk is important to the whole territory. We must work towards completing the Mackenzie Valley Highway. The Mackenzie Gas Project, we need to see this project through. The Anti-Poverty Strategy and the shelter review must guide our decisions.

Each of our constituencies are very different. Our communities have unique circumstances. Each region has a different challenge, and fundamentally

we all want the same things. We want to see our people’s needs met. We want higher quality health care and education for our children. We want to see the unemployed working and every NWT resident to have a home to call their own. We want our youth to succeed, our economy to prosper and our elders to live in comfort and dignity that they deserve. I want to be in the Cabinet that steers us reach those goals. We need to do what it takes to get those things done and we need to get to work.

I offer this Assembly my experience, commitment and willingness to do the hard work expected of a Cabinet member, and I want to make sure we stay on track and achieve the goals we’ve set for ourselves as a government. I ask for your acceptance and look forward to serving for many years in the future.

Mr. Chairman, I’d like to say thank you very much to my wife and my family, the people back in the Sahtu for electing me here. I also thank my elders and the friends who have supported me throughout the eight years. I am happy to be here and I congratulate all the MLAs for the next four years. Good luck. Thank you.

Candidates' Speeches
Election of Ministers

The Chair Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. For the southern constituency, Mr. Beaulieu.

Mr. Beaulieu’s Candidacy Speech
Candidates' Speeches
Election of Ministers

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Mahsi cho, Mr. Chairman. [English translation not provided.]

The employment rate is a huge issue in the NWT, with employment rates being between 65 and 80 percent. In Yellowknife and the regional centres they are doing well in as far as income goes. In the small communities, however, employment rates in most cases are between 30 and 50 percent. In two ridings in the Northwest Territories none of the communities have employment rates above 40 percent. In order for the entire NWT to prosper together, we must increase employment rates in our smaller communities and this can be done without adversely affecting the regional centres or Yellowknife.

Housing continues to be the number one issue for individual households in the Northwest Territories, especially in the smaller communities. In some of the small communities core needs are as high as 70 percent. This is not to say there are no housing issues in the larger centres. The bottom line, however, is there is a need for approaches that fit the communities. Solutions that work in market communities such as Yellowknife and Hay River will not work in Whati, Nahanni Butte or Colville Lake.

In order to decrease core need across the Northwest Territories for housing it will take a balanced approach. An example is if Yellowknife is

mostly an affordability need, then this government cannot address the issue as if Yellowknife had a suitability issue.

Infrastructure spending in this government can also be done strategically. Spending must be done in a manner that benefits the whole NWT. Options such as leveraging private money must be looked at when providing infrastructure so that both the people in the NWT and private industry will benefit.

As a government we must optimize all capital spending so all people feel that the government is moving towards improving the situation for them.

Early childhood development is essential if you want graduation rates to increase and you want the graduates to be ready to move directly into post- secondary studies. We need to support our families by providing support to daycares and we must find ways to provide preschool teachers to as many of the small communities as possible. The belief today is that children entering kindergarten with the basics learned in preschool will continue to benefit from those right through high school.

As many MLAs know, I’ve been a strong advocate for the youth in this Legislative Assembly, and I believe that if we spend money supporting the youth, we will see benefits for years to come. As MLA for Tu Nedhe I wanted to see youth centres built in Fort Resolution and Lutselk'e. Today the youth in Fort Resolution are enjoying a new youth centre. Unfortunately, we were unable to get one built in Lutselk'e during the last Assembly. I feel this government must increase spending in the area of youth programming and youth infrastructure and we will reap the benefits of that in the future.

There is a need to clean up the various contaminated waste sites across the Northwest Territories. First, because it’s good for the environment to have the environment cleaned up, and secondly, it creates much needed employment for the people in those areas.

We must continue to support the trapping industry and other forms of traditional economy. The economies such as fishing, hunting and arts are also important along with trapping in the small communities and some of the regional centres.

When I speak to the community health providers, there is a need for alcohol counselling, there is a need for treatment to be close to the people where the people live. We need to have those services at the community level and on the land where the people can work together in healing.

These are the initiatives and priorities that will allow the smaller communities to participate in the NWT economy and lessen their dependence on social programs. As Minister I feel I can strategically apply

these priorities that will benefit all of the Northwest Territories and the small ridings also.

My background is I have four years as a Member of this Legislative Assembly. I chaired the Standing Committee on Social Programs where we completed a very important review on the Child and Family Services Act and much work has been done to complete that review.

Prior to being MLA for Tu Nedhe during the last Assembly I served this government as the president of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation for four years and associate deputy minister for the Environment and Natural Resources for three years. I was also president and CEO of the NWT Development Corporation for one year. However, more importantly, I served 26 years in this government prior to those positions and most of it in the Housing Corporation, where I started as a trainee and ended up as the president.

As Ministers, we need to know what the main issues are. Once we know what the main issues are, then we can find solutions. We can develop solutions that will work for all people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Candidates' Speeches
Election of Ministers

The Chair Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Menicoche.

Mr. Menicoche’s Candidacy Speech
Candidates' Speeches
Election of Ministers

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. [Translation] I am glad to be able to put my name forward to run for Cabinet position and now I will speak in English. [Translation ends]

Dear colleagues, NWT residents listening, I rise before you today grateful for my experience in the premiership candidacy. I look to your support to bring my creativity, vision and experience to Cabinet in the 17th Assembly. As stated, I have

represented six communities in my riding for the past eight years with commitment, dedication and energy and I bring this with me.

I am very honoured and pleased that you supported and listened to my speech during the Premier elections earlier today. I just wanted to say thank you for your compliments on my speech. It was further confirmed on Twitter that I had the best speech during the Premier candidacy.

---Laughter

Once again, I would just like to say I am a team player. I listen. I work well with others. I am a consensus builder, but I also strongly believe that communication is a two-way process in which we must be genuine and respectful. By doing so, we can have a Cabinet ready to face any challenges put in front of this Assembly.

I would just like to close by asking you to vote for a Minister who will make the NWT strong and united, and vote for a Minister who believes in change and is not afraid to think outside the box. Mahsi cho.

Candidates' Speeches
Election of Ministers

The Chair Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Miltenberger’s Candidacy Speech
Candidates' Speeches
Election of Ministers

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would first like to publicly acknowledge and congratulate my friend and colleague, Premier-elect Bob McLeod, for taking the helm to move forward. I would like to confirm my interest in putting my name forward for Cabinet and confirm, as well, that I stand by my comments this morning as well as my answers to questions this morning. Thank you.

Candidates' Speeches
Election of Ministers

The Chair Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Nadli.

Mr. Nadli’s Candidacy Speech
Candidates' Speeches
Election of Ministers

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would also like to extend my congratulations to Premier-elect Bob McLeod. I would like to say thank you. It has been a wonderful couple of weeks here getting to know my colleagues here. I think we have a contingent of really well-qualified people to serve the people of the Northwest Territories. It is an honour to be sitting around the table with them. I look forward to the next four years of this Legislature.

[Translation] Thank you. I would like to say my name is Michael Nadli and I would like to say thanks to my relatives, my wife and my mom and all the people that worked on my behalf. That is what got me here. These are the people that supported me. For the next four years I will be working hard along with all the Members. There will be a lot of difficult items to work on [Translation ends]

…for giving me this opportunity to rise up to the occasion in putting my name forward as Cabinet Minister because I believe I have the experience and the background. To think what I bring forward to the Cabinet would be, of course, a political understanding in terms of the lay of the land. I have a background in working in a leadership role in terms of bringing the Dehcho First Nations to the forefront of some cutting-edge accomplishments in terms of environmental preservation, environmental conservation. We have done some tremendous work in one region. I would like to ensure that that work flows into the well-being of the Northwest Territories to ensure that we have balance developed, ensuring that we don’t sacrifice the environment for the economy but ensure that we have a balance.

I speak my language. I am fluent in Slavey and also at the same time, of course, I have an understanding of my culture. I have had an

opportunity to be educated in the western thought, so having these skills, I think I can work well with Dene and non-Dene. I can also be a link to ensure that there is a balance in terms of bringing mutual interests forward. At the same time, in my background I have had some skills in mediation in terms of ensuring that we focus on issues, but also at the same time we work together, we try to identify some commonalities. Sometimes, too often, we get entrenched in positions. Sometimes we need to step away from our positions to ensure that we build upon our strengths, which is our common interest for the well-being of our Northwest Territories.

My campaign theme was for the next generation. Perhaps looking into this future, we could say in a decade, in a century, what kind of North will we have? I would like to ensure that we have a very good North ensuring that we have healthy individuals, healthy families, healthy communities and a vibrant economy and a vibrant people that enjoy this part of Canada but take pride in the beauty of the land, ensuring that there is a legacy that will ensure that future generations inherit.

This also reminds me of a legend of Yamoria and Yamozhah. They came into this land to bring balance and harmony between the Dene and the animals. Today I think what we have before us is to carry on forward the people, the Dene, but more likely take on the role of almost being a giant in terms of ensuring that we protect the environment. Giants ensure that there is a balance, giants so that we ensure that there is a balance between and harmony between man and the environment. I also stand in terms of one-house concept. I think we all live in the North. We want to make this North our home. We want to ensure that we have jobs. We want to ensure that we have a viable government that ensures we have and receive a quality of programs and services. We want to ensure that we have a future ahead of us that we can look forward to. Of course, most importantly, we want to ensure that, at the end of the day, we have a home to go to.

At the same time, I think people want change. What do we want in terms of change? Do we want changes in terms of being individuals? Do we want change in terms of our family? Do we want change in terms of being in the community? Do we want change as a government? I think those things we have to consider to ensure we are cognizant of the people out there in the North that have spoken out in the recent election. We need to ensure that we consider their views.

Being at this point in my life, I have a background in terms of ensuring that I have worked with people and organizations. Most recently I worked as chair and chief executive officer of the Dehcho Land Use Planning Committee. I have held that position for

the past four years. We have worked hard to ensure that we strike a balance including conservation and development to set up a management regime for the Deh Cho region. Also, at the same time, I have also worked at the community level in Fort Providence as sub-chief. In that role I ensured that our band and our First Nations was accountable to our membership to the bottom level of transparency. We also brought a principle of engagement to our membership so they realize how it is that we make decisions and preparing them for the eventual reality that we do indeed make big decisions down the road.

Also, at the same time, I also worked as an intergovernmental advisor with Indian Affairs. I have had an opportunity to meet and work with people that I still maintain today. At the same time I have also worked as band chief of the Dehcho First Nations. In 1997 I was 32 years old. I was elected to serve as grand chief. I was honoured to represent the people. I think I held a common principle of working with everyone, at the same time I wanted to ensure that we worked united, and that’s one of the strengths that I have. I want to ensure that here in this Legislative Assembly there is a level of unity between Cabinet and Regular MLAs, that we work well together, that we share ideas and we also have a constructive dialogue in terms of making the opinions and the policy initiatives that we bring forward stronger and better reflective of the people that we represent.

In closing, I think I have the background. I want to ensure that we uphold the principle of consensus. People have commented that we are builders of consensus, but I think we need to take it a step further. We need to ensure that consensus indeed works. We need to ensure that the principle of this unique style of government is upheld, that we ensure we’re reflective of the people of the Northwest Territories. At the same time, my goal on Cabinet is to ensure that you have a balance between small communities and larger centres, we have a balance between the rich and the poor, we have a balance in terms of the people that are fortunate, we have a balance in terms of ensuring that we consider the people that are destitute, the people that are sick, the elderly, and we ensure that we consider the future of the future generations, the youth.

At the same time, I look forward to these four years. I think it’s a humbling experience to be here and an honour and privilege to serve with my colleagues. I really look forward to working with them. I also want to thank the people that served in this Legislature before me. I’d like to acknowledge Michael McLeod who served as a Minister in his capacity. Also, at the same time, the people that have walked in these corridors before me, the leaders that have

blazed a trail for us, I’d like to say mahsi cho and thank you very much.

Candidates' Speeches
Election of Ministers

The Chair Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Moving on to the Yellowknife constituencies. Mr. Abernethy.

Mr. Abernethy’s Candidacy Speech
Candidates' Speeches
Election of Ministers

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’d like to start off by congratulating both you as Speaker- elect and Mr. Bob McLeod as Premier-elect, and I look forward to working with you both in your new capacities over the next four years.

Thank you, colleagues, for the opportunity to speak with you today.

Prior to putting my name in for Cabinet I thought about the qualities that I was looking for in a Member of Cabinet. Specifically, what values and attributes I believe a Minister should possess in order to be effective. I want Ministers to be open to suggestions and/or proposals brought forward by his or her colleagues. I want Ministers who will listen and work with all Members in the best interests of all residents of the Northwest Territories. I want Ministers who will help Members understand their point of view and decisions.

I don’t want Ministers who simply say no without providing a rationale for saying no. I want Ministers that recognize when they are receiving a good recommendation from a colleague and/or the public and will help make that recommendation become a reality. I want Ministers who will take ideas from Regular Members of constituents into the Cabinet room and fight for all communities and regions of the Northwest Territories. We need Ministers who can see beyond their individual constituencies and departments and to the needs of residents of all the Northwest Territories. I want Ministers who will work hard for the people of the Northwest Territories and not support the status quo.

I believe that I have these values and attributes that I have just described and I look forward to working with and for you, the Members of the 17th Legislative Assembly and all residents of the Northwest Territories, as a member of Cabinet. I want to help make the Northwest Territories a place where our residents have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed in any capacity they choose.

I’d like to talk a little bit about some of my previous experiences, which will heavily demonstrate these values and attributes.

Prior to being elected in the 16th Legislative

Assembly I worked in the GNWT public service. I was a manager, first with the Department of Health and Social Services and later, after amalgamation, the Department of Human Resources, where I was responsible for more than a dozen staff and a

budget of over $6.5 million. My staff were located in a number of communities throughout the Northwest Territories, including Fort Smith, Hay River, Inuvik and Yellowknife. As a manager I was responsible for the development and implementation of programs such as the Community Health Nurse Development Program, which focused on supporting Aboriginal nurses who wanted to return to their communities. In the first two years of the program we helped five indigenous Aboriginal nurses obtain the skills they needed to return to their communities and regions as fully competent community health nurses. This program proved to be a huge success and I’m very, very proud of this program and its success. This experience taught me of the value of working with colleagues, professionals and communities in order to create success. This experience also provided me with valuable management skills and experiences, which will be of significant benefit as a manager of the 17th Legislative Assembly.

Four years ago I ran for MLA and was honoured to receive the support of the residents of the Great Slave riding. Shortly after being elected, I put up a copy of my favourite political quote on my office window for all to see. It’s from Joseph Howe and he said, “The only questions I ask myself are what is right, what is just and what is in the best interest of the public good.” When faced with political decisions, these are the questions I keep in mind. They are the questions I always ask myself. As an MLA I’ve attempted to not only fight for my constituents, but also for the interests of all residents of the Northwest Territories.

Over the last four years I’ve been an active Member of this Legislature. For example, I took a lead role in encouraging the 16th Legislative Assembly to

conduct a review of the Child and Family Services Act. I did this because I believed that a review was necessary, timely and I cared about the impact that the Child and Family Services Act was having on the families throughout the Northwest Territories. It was a lot of work, but in the end I’m very proud of the work we did and look forward to future implementation of the recommendations put forward by committee.

In addition, late in the life of the 16th Assembly I

brought forward a private Member’s bill to amend the Employment Standards Act to support reservists and rangers in the Northwest Territories. I did not sit back, but chose instead to challenge a bureaucracy, which was initially resistant to the bill.

I’m not committed to the status quo. I see a need to look outside the box and challenge the norm. Like my colleagues in the 16th Legislative Assembly, I

took my role as a Regular Member very seriously. It is an important role within consensus government and I worked hard to keep Cabinet to account. To me holding Cabinet to account does not always

mean disagreeing with it. Sometimes it did. Rather than simply criticize, I always tried to offer alternatives and suggestions.

As your Minister I won’t forget my time as Regular Member and how frustrating and rewarding it can be at times. As your Minister I will always work to find common ground in the best interests of all of our residents. As your Minister I will listen to you and help you with issues that you bring forth both on a territorial and constituency level. Unfortunately, history does show us that from time to time we may find that we don’t agree on an issue or of some Cabinet direction, and if that does happen, I will try to help you understand why I and Cabinet have taken a particular decision or direction. I won’t simply say no.

I ran for election for this, the 17th Legislative

Assembly, with a focus on people. I believe people should benefit from a strong and sustainable community. The reality is that in the Northwest Territories we face significant economic challenges both today and into the future. Small businesses are struggling to survive in the Northwest Territories. Large non-renewable resource extraction businesses are slow to start. These challenges are compounded by the fact that the NWT-based diamond mines, our largest economic contributors, are approaching the end of their lifecycle. We must continue to pursue environmentally and socially responsible economic opportunities, but at the same time the GNWT must also work closely with small business owners and communities to enhance local business opportunities. We need more flexibility and less red tape.

I believe people should have the opportunity and resources to live healthy and productive lives. Everyone needs to be involved in the reduction of poverty in the Northwest Territories, business, social advocates, the federal government, the GNWT, all people. Action must be taken to reduce the cost of living to ensure that appropriate housing is available and accessible to all. To support education for Northerners and to enhance social programs can allow people to move forward.

I believe people have the right to accessible and timely health care. Wait times for physicians and other health care professionals throughout the Northwest Territories continue to affect all residents. Operational costs continue to increase, consuming significant portions of our program budgets. The Health Accord expires during the life of this government. The GNWT needs to support an alternative delivery throughout the Northwest Territories. The work started on the Foundation for Change must continue and be implemented during the life of this government.

I believe people and education are the keys to our future. To maximize benefits of economic development and activity, we have to ensure that there are enough educated Northerners to do the work required. Not enough of our children are graduated from high school. Often graduates from smaller communities lack the courses to get accepted into either college or university. We need to address the root causes of the failure and find ways to help our youth get programs and grades they need to succeed in post-secondary studies.

I believe people should benefit from government infrastructure spending. When government spends on needed infrastructure, I believe we have an obligation to ensure that it benefits all of our residents. For example, on projects like the Inuvik- Tuk highway we must ensure that the local residents are trained and employed during the construction. Or when large infrastructure projects like Stanton are upgraded, the upgrades must help to control the costs and improve service delivery. In addition, local contractors should be involved in designing construction.

The last thing I want to talk about is devolution. I believe that the greatest benefit of devolution, the grand prize, is that we, the people of the Northwest Territories, will finally be the ones making decisions on how public lands, water and resources get used and developed in the Northwest Territories. However, I do recognize that to date the devolution file has not been going that smoothly. The devolution file and the Wildlife Act have caused some serious tensions between the GNWT and our Aboriginal partners and governments in the Northwest Territories. We must find a way to rebuild these damaged relationships as we move forward with devolution negotiations. We must make every effort to find common ground.

Last Friday this Assembly took an important step in this direction with an historic meeting with our Aboriginal partners and governments. During this meeting one of our Aboriginal leaders said that with trust and understanding we can accomplish things together. To do this we must plan together. What we want isn’t really that different. I agree completely. I am committed to working with you, my colleagues, as well as our Aboriginal partners and governments to build mutually beneficial and productive relationships.

It’s time to shake things up in the Northwest Territories. The people want to see progress. The 17th Legislative Assembly is in a position to make

real progress for all of our people. I’m happy and honoured to be here and to be part of it. Over the last four years I believe that I have shown and demonstrated that I care about our people, that I want to make a positive difference to the lives of our residents, and that I want our residents to have

the opportunities and personal tools they need to take advantage of these opportunities.

I am very excited by the next four years and what we can all accomplish working together. I would like to take the next step and take everything that I have learned and experienced as a long-time Northerner, born and raised, as a GNWT employee, as an MLA to represent the people of the Northwest Territories as a member of Cabinet in the 17th Legislative

Assembly. I’m asking for your vote. Thank you for your consideration. Your vote counts. Mahsi cho.

Candidates' Speeches
Election of Ministers

The Chair Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Ms. Bisaro.

Ms. Bisaro’s Candidacy Speech
Candidates' Speeches
Election of Ministers

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Congratulations to you on your position as Speaker-elect and to my colleague Mr. McLeod – I was going to say Bromley, not quite – to Mr. McLeod on being Premier-elect.

Welcome to everyone here in the House and in the gallery, and to those watching and listening at home. It’s a privilege for me to have this opportunity; the opportunity to put my name forward for a Cabinet post, to offer to serve the residents of the NWT in a larger role. I hope my remarks today will provide some insight to both the Members of this House and members of the public as to why I’m standing for executive office.

I have one term as MLA under my belt. I have spent the past four years learning the ropes, so to speak, of this MLA job. Learning the protocols and procedures that make this institution, that give it its substance, its value and its decorum; the things that make this institution important. I believe that such a learning period, such an adjustment period is necessary to fully understand any organization and I don’t regret the time spent as a Regular Member. It’s allowed me to properly understand this very unique body. I now feel very comfortable in my job as an MLA, in my role as a lawmaker and a legislator, and I’m asking for a chance to serve as a member of the Executive to move our territory forward.

As the new MLAs have learned in the last couple of weeks, there are many, many issues and challenges that this Assembly will have to consider and to try to find solutions for. In my view, the 17th Assembly has to tackle these problems differently than previous Assemblies. We have to be creative; we have to be willing to try new approaches. I can bring that change of thinking to a new Executive Council.

Like every one of us in this room I have a unique set of skills which I bring to my position here. I have considerable experience as an elected person, on volunteer boards, as a trustee on a school board

and as a city councillor. I understand governance and I’m good at it. I’ve been involved with organizations in a leadership role making decisions in some capacity almost all of my life.

Age has allowed me to accumulate considerable experience dealing with people. Having worked as a teacher and as a manager of a small business that relied on client satisfaction, I’m well-grounded in the need to understand the people around you and understand what’s necessary for good relationships with colleagues and bureaucrats. Managing children and managing adults are definitely different, but the tactics are the same for both groups.

I’ve said on more than one occasion in this House that I’m a jock; I love sports and I’ve spent my life involved in sport. I plan on participating in sport well into my old age, and some of the younger Members of this House probably think I’m there already. However, the lessons learned through sport are too numerous to mention, but they are invaluable and have taught me how to work with others. It’s an overused phrase, but the term “team player” is a fitting description of me, I think.

On another note, some Members of the last Assembly felt that I have an insatiable appetite for detail; that I delay things by asking for information. Do not mistake my deliberation and consideration of all the facts as indecision. I firmly believe that an informed decision is a good decision and I take the time to inform myself prior to making any decision. To do any less is an injustice to those we serve.

All of these experiences and lessons learned, all of the skills I possess make me who I am and will make me a good Cabinet Minister. I am capable, I see the big picture on issues, I work hard and I get things done.

Our territory is on the edge of greatness. There’s so much that we can accomplish. Things like responsible sustainable development, elimination of poverty, reduction of homelessness, respect and fair treatment for all residents. Effective, efficient and innovative delivery of our programs and services will improve the lives of all NWT residents, will keep our children here, will make the rest of Canada envious of our home.

What issues are important to me? There are many but I will expand on a few. I make no secret of my belief that a comprehensive Anti-Poverty Strategy can go a long way towards addressing the needs of our most vulnerable residents. The implementation of such a strategy will coordinate our programs and services across government. It will create efficiencies and save us money. Most importantly, it will help our people become self-reliant, self- confident and successful one small step at a time. This is priority number one for me.

Completion of a Devolution Agreement for land and water rights and resource revenues from Canada to the NWT is a must. I supported the agreement-in- principle signing this past February. As a government, as leaders of our territory – which we all are – we must recognize the importance of Aboriginal governments and ensure that all groups are able to join in the negotiations for a final Devolution Agreement. Reconciling the differences which sprang up over the last year between Aboriginal regional governments and the territorial government has to be of the highest priority for this Assembly. We got started on this path last week, as many Members have said, when we met with regional Aboriginal leaders. As an Executive Council member I will make sure this government continues down that path.

On the financial front the NWT is hampered by many needs and too few dollars to meet all of our needs. I support the current prudent, conservative fiscal policy. It allows us to continue to deliver our day-to-day programs and services. On the negative side, we will be restricted to only a few capital projects. However, I feel there are savings to be had if we get serious about finding program efficiencies and doing only what we can really afford. I believe we should not put in place any new initiative, program or service unless we have reduced our expenses somewhere else to cover that new cost.

Our residents struggle on many fronts and it’s the job of government to assist them. I believe there must be a greater emphasis on early intervention and prevention in all areas of service to our residents, but particularly in relation to the health of our families. We need to empower our communities and give them the resources they need to provide the supports at the community level for their community residents.

Lastly, the NWT government must treat all residents equally and ensure that every resident has the same level of respect and feels just as valued as any other. We should be a unified people, a unified territory. Many Northerners did not feel that we were at the end of the last Assembly. The 17th Assembly has to ensure that all

Northerners feel part of our great territory. Our actions will determine that and it’s very important that any policies put in place by government are inclusive and not divisive.

The Legislative Assembly, the NWT government is seen by many residents as confrontational and ineffective, and a failure when it comes to producing results. We’ve heard much of that during the election. We have the tools to be productive. The 16th Assembly developed and published

consensus principles and protocols which can make us effective. We just need to follow them. We just need to use them. We need to eliminate the us

and them attitude which emerges after the Territorial Leadership Committee process. A more consensual Assembly will accomplish more. I want to take us to that more consensual place, get results in this upcoming four years, and see this government regain credibility in the eyes of our constituents.

I make but one promise today: if I become a member of the Executive, I won’t forget where my old office is. I will be sure to come back and visit the regular folk and to do it early and do it often. I look forward with anticipation and with great excitement to working with all the Members of this 17th Legislative Assembly. I’m especially excited about what I can accomplish as part of the Executive Council.

I wish the best of luck to everybody who is a candidate in this election and I would appreciate your support when you vote.

Candidates' Speeches
Election of Ministers

The Chair Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Mr. Bromley.

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