Transcript of meeting #1 for Territorial Leadership Committee in the 19th Assembly. (The original version is on the Legislative Assembly's site.)

The winning word was need.

A recording is available from the Legislative Assembly.

On the agenda

Members Present

Mr. Blake, Mr. Bonnetrouge, Ms. Chinna, Ms. Cleveland, Ms. Cochrane, Ms. Green, Mr. Jacobson, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Lafferty, Ms. Martselos, Ms. Nokleby, Mr. Norn, Mr. O'Reilly, Ms. Semmler, Mr. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Rocky Simpson, Ms. Thom, Mr. Thompson, Ms. Wawzonek

Call To Order
Call To Order

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The Chairperson (Mr. Mercer)

Good morning, Members. As Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, it is my duty to call this first meeting of the Territorial Leadership Committee to order and to preside over the nominations for Premier, the subsequent candidate speeches, and question period. Please rise as Elder Paul Andrew leads us in a prayer and contemplation.

Prayer
Prayer

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The Chairperson (Mr. Mercer)

---Prayer

Prayer
Prayer

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The Chairperson (Mr. Mercer)

Thank you, Elder Paul Andrew. Members, please be seated.

Members, before we begin, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize a number of people in the visitors' gallery today. First, Mr. Norman Yakeleya, former Member, former Minister of the Legislative Assembly, currently National Chief of the Dene Nation; and also, Ms. Wendy Bisaro, former Member of the Legislative Assembly. Welcome to you both.

Review And Adoption Of Agenda
Review And Adoption Of Agenda

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The Chairperson (Mr. Mercer)

As mentioned, this is the first meeting of the Territorial Leadership Committee for the Members of the 19th Legislative Assembly. All Members have a copy of the agenda in front of them. Are there any additions or deletions to the agenda? Seeing none, is the agenda adopted?

Review And Adoption Of Agenda
Review And Adoption Of Agenda

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Review And Adoption Of Agenda
Review And Adoption Of Agenda

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The Chairperson (Mr. Mercer)

Agreed? Thank you, Members.

Opening Remarks By The Clerk Of The Legislative Assembly
Opening Remarks By The Clerk Of The Legislative Assembly

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The Chairperson (Mr. Mercer)

Members, and those following along in the public gallery and at home, you have previously confirmed a process to select a Premier that varies somewhat

from the past. Your predecessors from the 18th Legislative Assembly divided the process for the selection of Premier from a one-day process to a two-day process. As you have agreed, the process for selecting a Premier for the 19th Legislative Assembly will be divided into two distinct stages. Today those Members wishing to allow their names to stand for Premier will each identify themselves publicly and make a speech of up to 20 minutes. Following these speeches, each Member will be entitled to ask up to two questions to each candidate for Premier. Your questions should be addressed equally to all candidates, and I ask that you keep them short and specific. Likewise, I ask that candidates limit their responses to no more than five minutes.

Following this question-and-answer exchange, the Territorial Leadership Committee will adjourn for roughly one week until Thursday, October 24, 2019, at 9:00 a.m., when you will first select a Speaker. Following this, each Member will be provided the opportunity to ask one final question to the candidates for Premier. This final exchange will be followed by the secret ballot election of the Premier.

Later that afternoon, you will proceed to identify, hear speeches from, ask questions to, and elect Members of the Executive Council according to the 2-2-2, or north-south-Yellowknife, custom that has been used by previous Assemblies.

Now, with regard to technical matters, Members should be aware that you are not required to turn on your microphones when you rise to speak. That will be done automatically for you. Also, in front of Members and built into your desks are the timing mechanisms. When speeches are being made, the clocks will count down the time available to you, and you are asked to be mindful of the time limits that have been set and agreed to by all Members.

I wish to make Members aware that today's proceedings are being broadcast live on the Legislative Assembly Television Network and on social media. Our proceedings today are being simultaneously translated in the following languages: in booth 2 on channel 2, Tlicho; in booth 3, Chipewyan; in booth 4, South Slavey; in booth 5, North Slavey; in booth 6, Inuvialuktun; in booth 7, Inuktitut; and in booth 8, French.

I would also like to remind Members that, although this is a less formal committee than the House itself, Members are please asked to stand while speaking.

Nominations For Premier
Nominations For Premier

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The Chairperson (Mr. Mercer)

The next item on the agenda is item 5, nominations for Premier. The Premier nominations and candidate speech guidelines are in your packages on your desks in front of you.

As per the guidelines, my first duty is now to ask all Members who wish to allow their names to stand for the position of Premier to please rise in their places. Thank you. Nominated for Premier, then, are Mr. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Lafferty, Ms. Cochrane, and Ms. Martselos. Thank you. You may be seated.

We will now proceed to the speeches by the four candidates for Premier. Each candidate is permitted to make a 20-minute speech, and the speeches will be made in alphabetical order by surname. As such, I will first call upon Ms. Cochrane for her speech. Ms. Cochrane, you have the floor.

Ms. Cochrane's Speech
Candidates' Speeches

Page 2

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Today I am seeking this Assembly's support for the position of Premier of the 19th Legislative Assembly. I believe my background provides me with the insight, experience, and education necessary to consider all needs of the Northwest Territories and guide this Assembly effectively as a consensus government. As a Minister who held seven portfolios over the last four years in the 18th Legislative Assembly, I also gained a perspective on the operations and procedures within government, especially what worked and what didn't work. I believe I have the experience and commitment to lead this government within the true spirit of consensus government.

My heart is in the North. My family moved to Yellowknife 56 years ago, when I was a small baby. My partner, Rory, moved here in his early teens, and together we have a blended family with children and a grandchild living here. My commitment is to the long-term prosperity of the North, its people, and its programs and services that people need to live a healthy and prosperous life.

I am also a proud Metis woman, and my Indigenous mother and non-Indigenous father have instilled a sense of caring for all people.

Like many, my life was not always easy. I experienced the hardships of family addiction, violence, and homelessness. As a single parent of two young children, I understood that education was the key to not only my future, but also for theirs. I returned to school and obtained a degree in social work.

Before entering this Legislative Assembly, I dedicated 20 years to supporting the needs of our most marginalized populations. I understand from a personal and a professional perspective that we need to weigh in the needs of all sectors in defining our priorities, direction, and actions. As we move forward, I have confidence that you will find that I have a balanced perspective; I am open and honest; and, above all, I consider the needs of all people and all communities.

On October 9th I listened to all MLAs who spoke on the needs of their constituents. I heard the need to consider the sustainability of the earth and the impacts of climate change; the need to consider the housing, health, and education wellness needs of our people and our communities; the need for addressing the economic crisis that the territory is facing; and the need to work together as we address these concerns.

The Premier and Cabinet are responsible for developing a four-year mandate that meets the priorities outlined by this Legislative Assembly. Collaboration within the consensus model is important to its success and, if elected Premier, I will ensure that Regular MLAs are included in the finalizing of the government's mandate to meet these priorities. I will also ensure that the mandate will have realistic outcomes and that all actions will include department leads and timelines to ensure accountability. As Premier, I will, with your help, make our vision a reality.

As Premier, I will also hold my Ministers accountable through public mandate letters that will outline the priorities of each department. Ministers and departments will be directed to work closely with Indigenous governments, NGOs, and service providers to provide comprehensive programming and supports.

I will not stand before you and tell you which priorities I think are most important, because they all are. I also believe that, if we are going to work within a consensus system, the priorities that need to be addressed will be defined together by all 19 Members. However, I want to take some time to discuss the priorities that I feel are important to me.

The Economy

Our economy is in trouble. Small businesses are struggling to survive, diamond mines are slowing down, and large, non-renewable resource businesses are slow to start. We need to act fast and we need to act now to ensure jobs for today and jobs for tomorrow.

As Premier, I will work with Ministers to develop a 10-year strategic economic plan that will include Indigenous government engagement; departmental and stakeholder needs; a review of potential supports, including federal funding sources; royalties; investor potential; taxes, recognizing the already high cost of living; export potential and a review of trade barriers; tourism; knowledge economy; a risk management plan; and standing committee engagement.

I will also work with relevant Ministers and standing committee to develop a four-year action plan based on a strategic economic plan that includes measurable actions and timelines. The plan must be flexible to match any funding possibilities that may arise, and be reviewed or revised on an annual basis.

Recognizing we have almost 45,000 residents and 33 communities, prosperity for all must be a guiding principle. Economic planning, infrastructure allocations, procurement, and investments must be done with this in mind, and our economic strategy must consider the needs of the larger and the smallest of our communities.

All residents want to know that prosperity, jobs, and property values are secure for the long term, and we must work together to meet the needs of all.

The mineral resources sector provides 40 percent of our gross domestic product. It is, and will continue to be, an important part of our economy. However, we need to build on the successes of previous governments to meet our economic needs.

As Premier, I will:

  • Give direction to bring together industry and environmental experts, Indigenous and community government representatives, and Regular Members for a summit on the current and future state of resource development in the Northwest Territories and how we can find collaborative solutions to move forward together in a sustainable manner.
  • Develop the regulations for the Mineral Resources Act as a priority, to be done collaboratively with Indigenous governments and in consultation with all stakeholders, including the Chamber of Mines, Chamber of Business, and community governments.
  • Increase investment in mineral exploration and consider strategic infrastructure investments that can extend mine life and help reduce exploration costs for future mining investments.
  • Support diversification by expanding the tourism market internationally, with a focus on promoting the smaller communities.
  • Continue investing in green energy and renewable technology, farming, fishing, forestry, biomass production, tourism, culture, arts, and film, and the Indigenous traditional economy.
  • Growing the knowledge economy by creating a polytechnic university that will bring additional research funding to the North, maintain the knowledge in the North, and allow us to become leading experts in addressing climate change, maintaining and revitalizing Indigenous languages, and development of environmentally friendly renewable and non-renewable technology.
  • Continue to support the Small Community Employment Fund and the Small Community Committee to oversee the program design and funding distribution, and to better support the range of needs within our economy, change the name of Industry, Tourism and Investment to the Department of Economic Diversification and Development.

At the same time, we need to do more to support local businesses and strengthen our procurement policies. We have to invest in our people and focus on getting our own residents to work, which will help increase our revenues, provide pride in our people, and lessen the reliance on social programs. As Premier, I will ensure that this is implemented through developing infrastructure projects in partnership with Indigenous and community governments, with the goal of having economic development opportunities in all regions of the Northwest Territories.

Working in partnership with Indigenous and community governments to lobby the federal government for large-scale projects such as the Mackenzie Valley Highway, Taltson expansion, and the road into the Slave Geological Province that will create good jobs and support sustainable development.

If chosen as your Premier, I commit to work with Cabinet and Regular Members and meet with all Indigenous and community governments to develop a territorial-wide economic strategy and work in partnership to pursue funding from the new federal government. However, we must ensure that we are fiscally responsible and working in a strategic, sustainable manner. We need to look at how we can deliver quality programs in the long term, so we have to think differently about how we do business.

We will need to make some hard decisions and look at our programs and services to ensure that they are still meeting their intent and look at ways that we can provide them in a more efficient, effective manner.

Protecting our Environment

We're at the forefront of climate change. The sustainability and future of the Northwest Territories for future generations needs to be a priority of this government, and all actions taken by the GNWT as we move forward.

If elected Premier, I commit to:

  • The establishment of a climate change working group made up of Cabinet members, Regular MLAs, and community and Indigenous leaders to help advance the territorial climate change priorities, and a full review of the 2030 NWT Climate Change Strategic Framework and the 2019-2023 Action Plan to ensure that they are meeting our needs.
  • Supporting small communities in their efforts to get off diesel and develop cleaner sources of energy production.
  • Increasing funding to Arctic Energy Alliance to allow improved programs and services across the territory; and
  • Changing the name of Environment and Natural Resources to Environment and Climate Change.

The work the Government of the Northwest Territories is doing to combat climate change needs to be given the recognition and the focus that it deserves. Any new infrastructure needs need to reflect our changing climate and incorporate measures to lessen the need for non-renewable resources.

The polytechnic university can be a leader in working with Indigenous knowledge keepers in climate change adaptation and mitigation research. This includes becoming leaders in contaminated site remediation.

If selected as Premier, I will also focus on international relationships that not only to look to their best practices on climate change, but also to share our own.

Investing in People

While resource development makes up a significant part of our economy, our greatest resource is our people. I will not stand here and say that we can make a significant dent in the cost of living in the NWT. However, what I can say is, by investing in our people and giving them the foundation that they need for success, we can stabilize the cost of living.

As our economy changes, and with our current debt limit, we must be creative and strategic in our expenditures, while at the same time trying to meet the needs of our residents. As Premier, I will:

  • Give direction to look for innovative practices to address the CMHC housing funding, which will end in 2038. This could include placing a higher priority on homeownership and lease-to-own options for residents who are able to maintain their own homes, which will allow us to build more homes.
  • Amalgamate the Department of Lands and the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs as a more cost-effective and efficient way of delivering the services needed by Indigenous and community governments.
  • Place a higher emphasis on senior residences to meet the growing demographic. In communities where able, senior residences should be based on a cost-recovery model by incorporating market and subsidized units.
  • Develop a model for affordable universal childcare across the NWT, whether it be at a reduced cost or free. We will have to explore the options and work toward this in the long term.
  • Place a higher focus on pre- and postnatal and parenting supports to assist in increasing the number of children developmentally ready for school.
  • Increase support and focus for the JK to 12 education system, recognizing the critical developmental milestone periods, with the goal of supporting our youth to successfully graduate.
  • Make a reality the polytechnic university by building on three strong communities, three strong campuses, and at least 21 strong community learning centres.
  • Increase focus on rehabilitation and restorative justice and partnerships with educational and wellness support and Indigenous governments and organizations, with the goal of successfully reintegrating offenders into society, housing, and employment options.
  • Study options for specialized courts to better suit the needs of vulnerable residents with addictions and mental health issues.
  • Add supports to Health and Social Services, as well as focusing on a stronger recruitment and retention strategy. Training Northerners for these roles also needs to be a key priority.
  • Pilot a guaranteed income model with long-term income support clients. This will assist people in having sustainable income, which promotes accessing additional employment options and reduces the administration time and cost for the Government of the Northwest Territories.
  • An increased focus on children in care to ensure they are provided the same standard of care we expect for our own children. We must also explore options with Indigenous governments for them to take the leadership role for our children in care.
  • The use of an equity-based and gender-based analysis in any new program or service delivery to ensure we are truly focused on services that meet the needs of our residents.

We also need to revisit our decentralization policy to ensure the benefits of decentralization can be felt in the regions.

Modern Treaties and Self-government

The settling of modern treaties and providing supports for self-government are critical, both for the wellness and prosperity of Indigenous people, but also to help restore confidence to potential investors that the Northwest Territories as a place to do business. I believe a core component to completing these agreements is trust. I have made it a personal priority to be honest, fulfill my commitments, and foster good working relationships with Indigenous governments, and I believe this will be an asset as we continue this process.

It's time to focus more on collaboration and partnerships, and that means changing the way we interact with Indigenous governments. If elected as your Premier, I will meet on a regular basis with the leadership of all Indigenous governments that are in negotiations, in an effort to advance negotiations and address any obstacles.

We must advance our shared goal of a strong and sustainable future on the foundation of respect, recognition, and shared responsibility. We need to conclude the outstanding agreements in order to bring increased certainty to land and resource management and economic opportunities for communities and regions. It's about relationships. It's about working together. Let's get these agreements completed so we can move forward on building our economy and building strong communities and people.

Intergovernmental Relationships

I said relationships are key to success, and, as such, it's imperative that we work with our Member of Parliament so we have a strong voice in Ottawa. We need to work with our Indigenous and community governments if we are truly going to represent the needs of all residents.

As Premier, I commit to the development of a strategic federal engagement plan that takes into consideration the needs of Regular MLAs and Indigenous and community governments so we have a shared message and approach to lobbying Canada for what we need. These meetings will be the basis of a strong lobbying effort and bring representatives from all governments together in Ottawa to meet with federal ministers and bring forward our common concerns.

We must also build strong alliances with our territorial and provincial counterparts to ensure everyone is aware of our exceptional challenges in the North. The three territories working in partnership on issues, when applicable, has been extremely beneficial, and we need to foster these partnerships as we go forward. As a consensus government, we must all work together. The non-partisan political structure we have provides us the luxury of being able to work collaboratively with any federal or provincial or territorial government. We must utilize the strength that we have in our consensus government to build strong, nonpartisan relationships with all governments.

In conclusion, my message today is built on experience and our past efforts as a government. I believe we must learn from our past to determine our future. We will have many challenges ahead. However, if we work together within the true spirit of consensus government, we will be able to tackle these challenges together and achieve ultimate success for this Assembly, for all communities, and for all residents of the Northwest Territories.

I will work within a philosophy of inclusion, transparency, and accountability. I am committed to fostering a working environment that is centred on engagement, collaboration, and innovation, and I will carry the ultimate goal of providing the best programs and supports to all residents of the Northwest Territories within my heart. I would be honoured to serve as your Premier in the 19th Legislative Assembly, and I respectfully request your support. Thank you.

Ms. Cochrane's Speech
Candidates' Speeches

Page 6

The Chairperson (Mr. Mercer)

Thank you, Ms. Cochrane. Members, I would like to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Grand Chief George Mackenzie from the Tlicho Government, as well as Mr. Henry Zoe, a former Member of the Legislative Assembly and a former Minister. Members, next we have, in terms of alphabetical order, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Lafferty, the floor is yours.

Mr. Lafferty's Speech
Candidates' Speeches

Page 6

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Masi, Mr. Chair. [Translation] I would like to acknowledge that we are on Chief Drygeese Akaitcho Territory. I would like to acknowledge that, in this House and in the Northwest Territories, we stand on the land of Dene, Metis, Inuvialuit, and NWT Cree.

Congratulations to all the newly elected MLAs. I look forward to serving in the 19th Legislative Assembly with all of you. Masi cho to the constituents of Monfwi for their confidence in me as their representative in the Legislative Assembly. It has been a privilege to serve the Tlicho people for the last 14 years and an honour to continue serving for the next four years. Masi to my wife, Dianne, and my children, Jayde and Jesse, Cheyenne, Sahara, Denae, Ty, and our grandson, Ares, for their love and support.

I am Jackson Lafferty. My father was Maurice Lafferty. He spent much of his life on the land. He was a trapper, a dog musher, and provided for us what he harvested. He was adopted, too, and raised by Mary Adele Lamouelle. My grandmother also had a hand in raising me, as I was the oldest grandson. My mother is the late Dora Marie Lafferty. She was a Tlicho interpreter for the Behchoko Health Centre. Her parents were Pierre and Margaret Mantla, who raised their children on the land. To this day, I look at my uncle. [End of translation]. It is the Dene way. Introducing ourselves in this way allows us to situate ourselves and gives context to relations we have with each other. It shows our history. Where we came from, and paves the way for the future. This is the way I would like to see the Government of the Northwest Territories working. With an understanding of each other and our people. Knowing where each of us comes from and building a relationship from there so that we can move forward together with common understanding.

We need to serve in the spirit of Dene Nawo: with good intentions. We need to serve within a culture that values respect, listening and cooperation. I have been involved in governance for half my life - 25 years. As a young adult I got involved early in local and regional politics. I served 14 years at the Legislative Assembly, in the administrations of three different premiers. I served as a Regular MLA and I served as a Cabinet Minister for 8 years. In the last Assembly I was entrusted with the Speaker's chair. I understand the roles and responsibilities of all those various positions.

[Translation] I have also had the opportunity to work among some of the great leaders among them. [End of translation]

[English translation not provided]

The late Pierre Beaverho, a very well respected Elder from Whati, gave me some advice when I first began politics. He talked about the importance of promoting our languages in all our day to day events and gatherings. Our language, our way of life, our culture make us who we are. We must never forget it. Pierre told me if I was going to be a leader, to do it in my own language. His advice to me as kawi (or leader) was to stay true to yourself. To always do what you believe is right.

Pierre Beaverho also spoke to me about the Dene drum and its meaning. The beat of the drum is the heartbeat of the people. Its shape stands for harmony and unity of all people. It is not by chance that our Legislative Chamber is circular, like a drum. Pierre told me to carry the message of the drum forward in gatherings and meetings. To share the meaning of unity. Masi, Pierre, for these words. As a rookie band councilor, in my 20s, these were very powerful words.

I have held these close to my heart and they have led me since. I often returned to Pierre for his advice. So, as we serve in this House, let's never forget the drum, and all it stands for. That includes a consensus style of government that recognizes, regardless of our disagreements, that all ideas and opinions matter and have worth. Working collaboratively, in a consensus system strengthens and unites us in a way that party politics never can.

But have we always worked in that spirit of consensus? Have we displayed unity and strength? From my perspective as Speaker, as Minister, and as an MLA, I don't think we have. That is where this Assembly, under the right leadership, can make a difference. I believe it is possible for the Executive and Regular Members to generally work together to achieve a common cause and a collective vision. Northerners demand it. For the sake of our youth, our education system, community wellness, decent housing for all, economic diversity, climate change, caribou, and many other challenges that confront our territory, we need a leader that will work with all 18 Members in the spirit of servant leadership, one who is open-minded and a good listener, and one who explores all sides of issues and opportunities before making a decision; a leader who has respect for different perspectives, one who will collaborate and work with all levels of government in order to get the job done; a leader who looks beyond their own interests for the greater good of all, who inspires others to do the same. A leader who leads to serve. I believe I am that leader.

During the 18th Assembly, there were no small communities represented on Cabinet. Ministers were only drawn from Yellowknife, Hay River, Inuvik, and Fort Smith; large urban centres, very different from the 33 small communities that make up the rest of the territory. This was a barrier to consensus in the 18th Assembly. It cost the Executive a proper understanding of the challenges of life in the small communities where most of us live, places without all-weather roads, banks, daily air services, hospitals, full-time policing, or even decent food. I am pushing for an Executive that represents all parts of the Northwest Territories so we can truly represent and serve our people in a generalized spirit of consensus.

The October 1st general election has given our territory much to celebrate. It was conducted in a spirit of fairness and efficiency that nine-tenths of the world's voters can only wish for. Most remarkable of all, women today occupy 50 percent minus one of the seats in this Chamber. This milestone will have a lasting impact on policy decisions and outcomes of this government. It is an outcome that I welcome with all my heart.

Finally, the election has delivered a crop of bright and committed MLAs representing incredible diversity, skills, talents, and experience. Among us, MLAs are experts in Indigenous governance, engineering, healthcare, media, law, climate change, business, social issues; each and every one ready to make a difference in the lives of our constituents.

The NWT deserves a Premier who, through collaboration, can incorporate these diverse perspectives and experience into Cabinet decision-making and lead us to serve the people of the Northwest Territories to the best of their needs. I am up for the task. I know that each of you is equally committed to collaborative tasks at hand, as well.

That is not say that it will be an easy road. The challenges are very complex, critical to the well-being of our constituents. The challenges far outstrip the fiscal resources available to us. Furthermore, the GNWT does not have exclusive jurisdiction over the Northwest Territories. We share governance with municipalities, the constitution entrenched with Indigenous governments, and other Indigenous governments seeking settlement of their claims. The federal government also is a crucial partner and primary source of revenue. The consensus principle applies to our dealings with these important players. With trust, patience, hard work, and the right leadership, it can succeed in the most difficult circumstances.

In our priority-setting around the table, MLAs discussed economic prosperity. We all recognize that there is a need for economic diversification to build a northern economy. There are many opportunities and tools to encourage development in our territory. This is just one key objective that we set for ourselves.

All my experience in government administration and all my hard-earned political skill, I dedicate to delivering those priorities. I pledge that to you now.

On specific issues, I pledge the following as Premier. I will ensure the GNWT supports, with respect and integrity, those Indigenous governments seeking settlements of their outstanding land claims agreements. I pledge to collaborate and cooperate with Indigenous governments to establish meaningful, equitable, and model relationships. I will use my intergovernmental experience to strengthen our relationship with the federal government and to move them to a better understanding of our unique realities in the Northwest Territories.

I commit myself to improving the implementation of development strategies and the development of a clear and more efficient regulatory process to encourage further investments and opportunities here in the Northwest Territories. I will support the enactment of mining regulations that respect the environment and our changing climate, doing so in collaboration with all stakeholders, including Indigenous governments and business owners.

To help diversify our economy, I will support business development, especially in small communities and with Indigenous governments. Targeted areas will include tourism, ecotourism, research and development, arts and culture, as well as the development of infrastructure. I will work with communities to dissolve barriers to procurement and contracting and help strengthen our skilled labour force.

I will ensure that the wisdom of our elders is taken into account in planning for climate change and that Indigenous knowledge has the same weight as science.

Under my Premiership, the GNWT will collaborate with the federal government to ensure food security and reduce costs, especially in smaller communities, and that communities will be involved. Food security includes agriculture and traditional harvesting.

I promise that the Northwest Territories will continue to lead the country in reconciliation initiatives in the wake of the national Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the federal Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

I have already led the way by creating mandatory modules teaching the history and legacy of residential schools as part of the school curriculum. I will be a strong ally in language revitalization, including research and the encouragement of youth to speak their Indigenous languages.

I pledge to work in close collaboration with communities and with Indigenous governments, the federal government, and non-profit groups to find viable solutions, such as Housing First, to the housing crisis that we face, especially in small communities and especially with respect to displaced and homeless people.

I pledge my support for a polytechnic university on par with institutions in the South. I want to encourage our post-secondary students, the graduates, to continue their higher education here in the Northwest Territories and to pursue their careers here in the Northwest Territories, instead of taking their talents south.

With respect to health and wellness, I want to make sure that no Northerners are left behind. This means strengthening reconciliation efforts and supporting individual wellness in culturally relevant ways. It means better communication between departments, communities, and Indigenous governments.

Ensuring no one is left behind means integrative wraparound social services. It means supportive, innovative approaches, like the Arctic Indigenous Wellness Foundation, FOXY, and SMASH. It means restorative justice options, connecting with elders and with the land.

Ensuring no one is left behind means a greater focus on accessibility and affordability of early childcare. Finally, ensuring no one is left behind means ensuring that services are in place for our seniors, for addiction treatments, and for our mental health clients. I pledge my heart to ensuring that no one is left behind.

It is not possible to catalogue my responses to every issue that we face. Time doesn't allow, but I am an excellent listener, and I have respect for different perspectives. If elected Premier, I commit to working as a team to explore all sides of issues or opportunities before making a decision.

As we serve the people of the Northwest Territories, we are reliant on the expertise of those who work in the public service. Our public service is a resource to be cherished and honoured. It is the professionals skilled and dedicated to the people of the Northwest Territories. This also applies to the unions who work diligently to protect workers' rights and workers' welfare.

As the Premier, I will provide the leadership necessary to keep our senior government staff focused completely on the priorities set by this House. Under my Premiership, senior staff will engage more with the people of the North in their communities. The same goes for Indigenous governments.

I pledge to take our excellent, high-calibre civil service and, within four years, make it even better. By better, I mean a tighter ship and greater efficiency. Deputies and assistant deputies will be required to search out and eliminate duplications and overlap. There are no other ways, if we are to find the dollars needed to fund the priorities that we have set.

The next four years present an opportunity to both build on good work done by many people before us, as well as an opportunity to work together to tackle the issues that we know our residents face today; the cost of living, health and wellness, education, employment, homelessness, food and income security, the need to support the many northern families living with the legacy of residential schools, and the results of the loss of Indigenous language in our culture.

It is my goal in the next four years that people will be able to look back at the 19th Assembly as a government that put collaboration and cooperation first, a government that worked together for the good of all of the people of the Northwest Territories. It will be a government of strong, productive relationships, working with communities, Indigenous governments, and the Government of Canada. It will be a government in which Cabinet and Regular Members found a way to work closely together to produce the best programs and services for all Northerners; an NWT united behind a collective vision that leaves no one behind.

If elected Premier, I promise that every Member's voice will be heard in this House. Every community will be represented. My priority is to build upon our elders' concept of consensus government, to work together in the spirit of Dene Nawo, good intent for the betterment of our people in the Northwest Territories. I believe that we will work together in the spirit of collaboration. With all levels and departments within the government, we can work in the true spirit of the drum, that we can achieve a better future, and we can be a united voice and vision for the NWT.

[Translation] If I am Premier, I promise every Member's voice will be heard, and every community will be represented. My priority is to build upon our elders' concept of consensus government. We are all here today with the same vision for the North. Let's all work collaboratively together and achieve our common northern goal. We will be like one people. We are all here to work in this Chamber. Each one of us will present what we will be working on. Thank you. [End of translation]

Mr. Lafferty's Speech
Candidates' Speeches

Page 9

The Chairperson (Mr. Mercer)

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Next on the list, we have Ms. Martselos. Ms. Martselos, you have the floor.

Ms. Martselos' Speech
Candidates' Speeches

Page 9

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Mahsi. Members of the 19th Assembly, I respectfully and humbly put my name forward for your consideration as Premier. Although this is my first time here as an elected representative, I feel like our territory is at a crossroads, with high levels of uncertainty about our economic and social future. I believe it is our duty as Members of this Assembly to provide that certainty, some hope for all residents, that they have a secure future, no matter what they do for a living, no matter which community they live in, and no matter what their personal circumstances are.

I am here today to ask for your support because of my father, Frank Laviolette. After my mother passed away in 1995, I began spending more time with "Big Frank." I was a businesswoman, and my husband and I were at a point where we were contemplating our own future. I had been a witness to my father's transition from bison rancher to politician. He established the first Aboriginal political organization in the NWT, attended Dene nation meetings, and was instrumental in the political evolution of the Salt River First Nation. He started talking to me about Salt River affairs. I originally wanted no part of it. As my sister pointed out to him, I was there to spend time with him because he was lonely, but my persistence comes from him. He was not going to stop suggesting I get involved.

I started to see politics as part of my future, and, in 2007, I got involved in the Salt River First Nation. In life, business, and politics, I have overcome adversity and challenges, realized opportunities, suffered loss, and experienced success. I always believed in what I was trying to do. I believed in my vision of where I was going. I believe now our territory needs a vision, building on the accomplishments of previous governments but doing things in different ways. While there are proven ways to develop, implement, and evaluate government policy, I believe our residents want us to do new things in new ways. They do not want the status quo. We have elected 12 new MLAs, including myself, as proof. They want positive changes to move our territory forward with healthy people, a safe and pristine environment, and a thriving economy and business community.

Earlier in our deliberations, we outlined our priorities for this Assembly. We have all been entrusted with looking after the people, the environment, and the economy of the NWT. If chosen to be Premier, I believe one of our first priorities should be our Aboriginal people. The NWT is a leading jurisdiction in our country for recognition of Aboriginal rights, so I believe it's time for the Government of the Northwest Territories to fully endorse and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

It is also time to settle outstanding Indigenous land and resources negotiations for the Akaitcho, the Deh Cho, and the NWT Metis as quickly as possible. We should also fight to have both reserves in the NWT recognized by Canada as federal reserves. We have heard from many leaders across the territory: the Government of the Northwest Territories is standing in the way of outstanding land claims. We have an obligation to truly walk the talk and seriously support the settlement of these claims in order to move forward. We should not be an obstacle to settling these claims, and we should be actively moving to remove other obstacles to settling these claims.

Settling Indigenous lands and resources negotiations will provide certainty for Indigenous governments to begin to draw a jurisdiction down on self-governance, bringing programs and services closer to the people they serve and economic opportunities if they choose to develop their lands and resources. We have all heard of the potential income and the huge positive impacts these agreements have on resource exploration in the NWT. The completion of these agreements would only bring certainty to industry, whether they are exploring on Indigenous lands or lands that are retained by the government.

The health system in the NWT compares very favourably to that of other jurisdictions across the country. However, we need to make improvements by having doctors who live in the NWT and not simply dispense medical services as locums. In my home community, I have benefitted on and off from seeing the same physician for extended periods of time, but we do need to do more to offer that level of service consistently to our residents. We must work together to support our healthcare workers and instill continuity in our health system so that our sick and elderly feel that they have a doctor who is their doctor, a doctor who knows them, who knows their medical history. Continuity will ensure that our health system develops an environment of prevention. As statistics show, millions upon millions of dollars are spent on treatment. Monies could be saved by promoting healthy lifestyles for all residents. Money spent on prevention has huge returns on the health system and our society.

I believe one of the wisest and best investments we can make as a government is in our children, setting the stage for their journey through life. We have all spoken about the importance of childcare to help our residents work and the positive impact this may have on our economy. Creating a universal subsidized childcare program is a must if we are to set the table for the people to work. Investing in early childhood development is the first and most essential building block in ensuring wellness and increasing our graduation rates.

Offering post-secondary education opportunities in the NWT by supporting the plan to develop a polytech university/University of the North is vital. When I was a child, there were many tradesmen in my home town, the majority of whom obtained their journeyman status right in Fort Smith. Currently, our territory suffers from a lack of qualified trades personnel. I believe it's time for us to re-examine the model that produced so many qualified tradespeople. A polytech university would go a long way in filling this void.

We have an opportunity through the Aurora Research Institute to be a leading jurisdiction for the use, study, and sharing of the polar satellite data. Can we support and revitalize our connection to Aboriginal languages and traditional lifestyles through our university? We must work to ensure this is a truly unique university where people across the North, Canada, and other parts of the world will want to come to study.

We have to work to improve how the Government of the Northwest Territories addresses Child and Family Services. Previous governments have examined how other jurisdictions provide services to children in care and looked at what is successful and what is not. Implementation of the recommendations is essential if we are to improve the lives and the future of our children and families. Supporting our social workers and foster parents are important elements of working towards better services for children in care, but our goal should be to keep families together and reunited. We need to do everything we can to achieve this, avoiding children in care becoming statistics in the justice system, giving them better chances of becoming productive members of society.

As Premier, I would like to look closely at the mandate of the NWT Housing Corporation. I see great potential to resolve many social housing issues we face across the NWT by allowing people who can afford to be homeowners to become homeowners. Only people who find themselves in a permanent unfortunate situation should remain in social housing. We need to encourage and support others to transition into homeownership. In addition, the Housing Corporation should work to improve market housing across the NWT by providing incentives and programs, which encourage homeowners to maintain and upgrade their dwellings.

Pilot projects that support homeownership by leveraging third-party resources should be expanded. We know homeowners take pride in their property. Providing better housing overall for NWT residents should be the mandate of the NWT Housing Corporation.

Across our territory, investing in infrastructure may be one of the most important investments the Government of the Northwest Territories can make. Infrastructure has to be built in order to maintain our territory in good working order. However, we must look at each infrastructure project through social, economic, and environmental lenses in order to ensure positive impacts on our communities as we build our roads, schools, and health centres.

We must plan to manage our debt to safeguard the next generation from the burden of unmanageable finances. We need to work with the Indigenous governments and the federal government to increase the speed in which money flows to our territory and to explore project funding models that leverage resources to get more projects done to support our communities and our economy. We hear lots of announcements of federal funding coming to our territory, but with very little impact on our infrastructure deficits. Federal fundings are scheduled far into the future and are spread over many years. As your Premier, I would address this issue with the federal government as soon as possible.

Expansion of the Taltson river dam is vital to the entire Northwest Territories. It will create a climate of new opportunities, countless new jobs, lower the cost of living and doing business in the NWT, and provide new training opportunities to the trades, giving new hope to the people of the Northwest Territories. We know that Aboriginal governments want to be involved in the Taltson expansion from regulatory, environmental, and business opportunity perspectives.

Let me touch briefly on the conservation economy. Recently, Thaidene Nene was established in the east arm of the Great Slave Lake. This park, along with other parks and protected areas, offer many opportunities for our people to participate in the conservation economy. These new parks differ greatly from those of the past as, although they are there for all to enjoy, they guarantee traditional pursuits by those who have made use of the lands since time immemorial.

Continued support of the tourism industry is essential if we are to remain competitive with other jurisdictions and grow to encompass our new policies and other initiatives.

Land managements must be done in a partnership with our Indigenous people, which they share the land, and work together so that our Indigenous partners don't see it as a government encroaching on their land.

As your Premier, I believe we should place a heavy emphasis on supporting small business. Incentives provided to small business, such as tax breaks, business incentive policies, no collateral access to funding, and technological support will help small business exceed. We need to work together to expand tourism beyond the territorial capital and make sure our own northern operators are the ones benefiting the most from tourism. Small business is truly the way we can turn our economy around and put our people to work.

The cost of living in the NWT is continually on the rise. Many of our families struggle to put food on the table. Energy costs can be staggering. Energy sources that reduce the cost of power can be an incentive to families to make their homes more energy efficient while reducing their carbon footprint.

In addition, we in the NWT will be doing our share to combat climate change, which has harmful impacts on us. We only need to drive our highways and see the shoreline erosion in communities like Tuktoyaktuk to see the serious impact it has had and continues to have on our territory.

My intention as Premier would be to visit all your constituencies, so that I can hear firsthand what your constituents need to make the North a better place to live and improve their lives. I will ensure that Ministers and deputy ministers visit your communities to meet with you and your leadership to raise their awareness about the issues currently facing you and collectively develop a plan to address concerns in the spirit of cooperation.

Today, I have risen to ask you to give me an opportunity to be your Premier. I feel I have the personal qualities required for a Premier of a consensus government; strength, compassion, and perseverance. Together, we are choosing political leaders for the Government of the Northwest Territories for the next four years. No matter what the outcome, we are all the same team, doing what our residents want us to do, making the NWT a better place to live, work, and do business.

I hereby commit to forming the necessary partnerships with all levels of government, Indigenous governments, local and federal governments, as well as the private sector, and also with all of you from our deliberations. Since we were elected and here in this Assembly today, I see a passionate group of MLAs who care. Solutions and decisions made here in the Legislative Assembly affect all people of the North. We have an obligation to the people of the Northwest Territories to set the stage for hope, cooperation, and equality. The people of the NWT deserve a government which is accountable and transparent, working collaboratively in their best interest.

This is my pledge to you to give me the opportunity to lead our collective efforts to make things better for all Northerners, from Sachs Harbour to Fort Smith. Thank you.

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The Chairperson (Mr. Mercer)

Thank you, Ms. Martselos. Finally, I will turn the floor to Mr. R.J. Simpson. Mr. Simpson, the floor is yours.

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R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Over the past couple of weeks, a number of people have asked my opinion on this new Assembly, and the word that always comes to my mind is "refreshing." There is a sense of renewal in the air and a sense that we have the opportunity to finally start making the kind of changes that the voters in the last two elections have clearly demanded.

In order to do that, we must first begin to address some fundamental issues that are at the heart of our ability to govern and our legitimacy as a government, including accountability; the functioning of consensus government; a relationship with the public service, the public, and other governments; and the relationship between the capital and the rest of the territory. These issues are the foundation of our decision-making process and, if we wish to make progress in the territory and advance a bold, long-term vision, then we need to start with a strong foundation. These issues, all of which lie squarely within the purview of the office of the Premier, are what I will be discussing today.

There are also a number of very important issues that I won't be discussing; economic diversification, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and so on. While I have definite opinions about what we need to do in regard to those areas, the priorities and goals of the next government will be determined by the Assembly as a whole when the elected 19 Members meet next week. I am not going to presume what those will be. What I am going to talk about today are the changes that I think need to come out of the Office of the Premier in order for this Assembly to achieve those goals.

For those watching who may not be familiar with our system of government, the role and powers of the Premier in our consensus style of government differ from those in a party-based system. In a party system, the party's platform is developed independently from the legislature and, once elected, the Premier is given broad powers to implement that platform, including the power to appoint and remove Cabinet Ministers.

In our system, the Assembly as a whole sets the priorities and has the sole discretion to appoint and remove Ministers. This means that our Premier has less coercive power than provincial Premiers and must therefore focus more on ensuring that there are strong working relationships between all Members of the Assembly in order to get things done. In fact, relationships are central to the role of Premier; relationships with Ministers, Regular Members, Indigenous governments, the federal government, communities, industry, and the public. These are all interrelated and, if the Premier cannot maintain positive relationships with all of these entities, the effects are felt across our entire society.

I have become quite familiar with these effects over the last four years; the union negotiations, the red alert, the pettiness seen in this Assembly, the discontent of Indigenous governments that we heard yesterday in our meetings, and so on. This is what spurred me to put my name forward for Premier.

I don't want to disparage our current Premier. I believe that he has always acted with the best intentions of the territory in mind and, if I had an issue, I knew that I could always walk to his office or pick up the phone and he would be willing to talk. However, I think that the territory will benefit from a new approach. People have lost faith in our system. They have lost faith in our ability to deliver results, and many people believe that the system is no longer fair. I can tell you that that is how I felt, knowing that my vote never once mattered in the last Assembly. Everything was a done deal before it ever hit the floor.

I don't always need to get my way. In life, you win some and you lose some. That's fine. I can accept that, if the system is fair. What I won't accept is a situation in which a vote that is meant to represent the will of the people of Hay River is meaningless. That is unacceptable. We can do better. We need to restore people's faith in our system by ensuring that everyone's vote counts and everyone's opinion is considered.

There are lessons to be learned from the last Assembly and, regardless of who the next Premier is, they need to be addressed if we wish to serve the people of the Northwest Territories to the best of our collective abilities. The first issue that we need to address is accountability. This isn't just my opinion as a political insider. I hear this from members of the public all the time. We can start with the relationship between Cabinet and Regular Members.

As I stated, in our system of government, only the Assembly can appoint and remove Ministers. In other jurisdictions where the Premier has this authority, it is clear that the Premier is ultimately responsible for the actions of Ministers. However, in our system, the distribution of this authority could end up in a diffusion of responsibility, meaning that, when everyone is responsible for keeping Ministers accountable, no one is responsible.

I know that, at times, I am hard on the last Assembly, and perhaps I give the impression that it was all bad, but it wasn't. There were definitely some successes. There were some collaborative efforts that yielded excellent results. Unfortunately, if Ministers showed no willingness to collaborate or displayed ignorance or arrogance or incompetence, there were no consequences or remedies available to us, and we all knew it. That is what needs to change. The power to remove Ministers may lie solely with the Assembly, but that doesn't mean that the Premier may wash his or her hands of that responsibility. The buck has to stop somewhere.

If the leadership of this Assembly is lacking, it is up to the Premier to fill that void. I don't mean that the Premier should be able to remove Ministers; I mean that the Premier should work to ensure that we never reach a point where we have to consider removing a Minister. If there are problems with the Minister's performance or attitude, the Premier needs to address it immediately. The Assembly and the public should expect as much and stand for nothing less. The responsibility that Ministers have to the people of the Northwest Territories and their power to make decisions that can affect people's lives on a daily basis mean that we must be vigilant in ensuring that they are performing their duties in accordance with a standard that the public finds acceptable.

Of course, we don't live in a perfect world, and sometimes issues can't be resolved. If there are votes to remove Ministers, such votes should never be subject to Cabinet solidarity. If I were to become Premier, I would certainly do my best to hold Ministers and the government to account, but what happens when I am gone? It is not enough to put some new faces in the same old system and hope for the best. We will never be able to design a perfect system that ensures accountability at all times, but we need to start implementing changes, codifying conventions, and creating expectations that will last beyond a single Assembly.

For example, in the report entitled "Lessons Learned," the Special Committee on Transition Matters recommended that there be no less than three fireside chats per year. These informal meetings between Regular Members and the Premier are intended to address concerns before they become problems and have been proven to work well in the past. I think that we had three in the past four years, and by the time that we did, it was too late.

During session, there should also be weekly meetings between the Premier and the chairperson of the Regular Member caucus, known in the last Assembly as the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning. These are the types of practices that need to become conventions. Although there were obvious personality conflicts in the last Assembly, I believe that most problems resulted from a lack of communication. We need to open those channels, both formal and informal.

I have to say that I was astounded to learn that, in previous Assemblies, the Principal Secretary, the Premier's right-hand person, would regularly walk up and down the halls and speak with Regular Members and Cabinet Ministers to discuss issues or just get a sense of how everyone was doing. We never had that, but it should be an expectation.

There is also room to improve the relationship and increase collaboration between Cabinet and Standing Committees to the benefit of all of our residents. We need to adopt the recommendations in the Lessons Learned report that would require the Cabinet to consult with standing committees, as well as the public, at the beginning of the business planning and budget development process in addition to the process that already exists, whereby standing committee is consulted when the documents are virtually complete and the opportunity to have any substantial impact on the government's plans has long passed.

We must also adopt and codify some of the new collaborative methods of discussing potential policies and addressing issues with legislation that were pioneered in the previous Assembly. It might not sound novel, but by replacing protracted letter-writing campaigns, in which each side would wait days or weeks for responses, with actual face-to-face meetings, we were able to get better results in a day than we otherwise would in a month.

The Premier must also commit his or her government to working more closely with committees in regard to the timely introduction of legislation. The work that committees do is invaluable and directly affects the public's daily life, in many cases. We must ensure that the committees have adequate time to do that work. Such coordination could also create time for more special committees to be struck. It was only late in the last Assembly that the potential for a special committee to examine the health system was discussed. Allowing for such work could have far-reaching impacts for the people of the Northwest Territories and is another example of how Cabinet and Regular Members can collaborate for the benefit of the people

No discussion about accountability would be complete without a discussion of the bureaucracy. We all hear many complaints about how the bureaucrats are the ones really running the government and that the elected Members are just along for the ride. We hear that from the public service; we hear that from the public; we hear that from MLAs and from former Ministers and Premiers. I will say it again: the buck has to stop somewhere. If the bureaucracy is running the show, the Premier must take responsibility for that.

Maybe the most powerful tool that the Premier has is to appoint and remove deputy ministers. Either use it if you are facing problems, or step aside for someone who will. I am not saying that the next Premier has to start handing out pink slips left and right, but he or she cannot stand for any obstruction or subversion of the public will as expressed to public representatives.

That said, I don't look at the bureaucracy as the enemy. I figure that I have met most of the GNWT senior management, and I have a lot of respect for them. I honestly think that they work for the benefit of the North, and I think that I have a good relationship with most of them, although sometimes there is a weird dynamic between MLAs and senior management, but I think that we get along.

Ultimate authority and responsibility lies with the elected representatives, and I am not going to use the bureaucracy as a scapegoat. Instead, I argue that we must better utilize the public service. As an MLA, I am not supposed to talk to members of the public service about their work; however, we are a small jurisdiction and it is often unavoidable. I am always struck by how often I hear the same few complaints over and over again across departments and across regions.

The first is that issues identified on the front line are rarely addressed. When policies are developed in Yellowknife, they might be well-intentioned, but they don't always roll out smoothly on the ground. When our front-line staff raise concerns about policy and recommendations to improve service delivery, we need to listen. We need a robust feedback loop that not only improves the service that we offer, but also shows respect to our front-line staff.

The second complaint that I often hear about is that bold ideas and out-of-the-box thinking are stifled instead of encouraged. This has to change. We have lost a number of very good public servants for this very reason. Our vast educated and competent public service is the GNWT's greatest resource, and it is time we treat it as such.

We must also strive to make the GNWT's senior management more representative of our people, and this is an issue that, during the business planning process, we dealt with every single year. There are charts that show the number of Northerners in the senior management, the number of Indigenous people in senior management, and the number of women... well, not the number of women, but we can see them in those committee rooms. There is a clear underrepresentation of both Indigenous peoples and women in the senior ranks, all the way up to the deputy minister level, and this Assembly needs to change that. Not just talk about changing it, but I want to see real results. I want to see real equal representation of women and Indigenous peoples at the deputy minister and senior management levels by the end of this Assembly.

One other important change I want to mention, and it may not resonate with any of the new Members or members of the public, but it's a change that I believe will finally break down departmental silos and allow us to implement policies with more responsibility to our people and transfer the policy development power from the public service to the elected representatives. Those of us who have been Regular Members are aware of how invaluable committee support staff are. In particular, our research advisors have the seemingly impossible task of reading and analyzing all the documents received by committees and being able to provide Members with information about how a particular policy or piece of legislation will play out, or how it interacts with pieces of legislation from other departments or even other governments. I am not exaggerating when I say that Regular Members could not do their job without that assistance. This staff works directly with, and takes direction from, committees.

I was genuinely shocked when I learned that Cabinet does not have a similar body to support them and aid in the development of policy. Where there are policy positions within the departments, they are accountable to their deputy minister, not to Cabinet. There is no single body that can develop cross-departmental policies or strategies.

The other day, during a briefing, one of the new Members asked a question that exemplifies why this is a problem. They asked about the immigration file, and why it was split across two departments. The answer is because one department was focused on attracting investment, and the other one in bringing in workers. That put an end to the conversation, as it would have at the Cabinet table. Instead of a single immigration policy, we have two that are independent from each other. End of story.

Now, imagine if we had a policy development unit that could actually look at this issue holistically, not from within a departmental silo. We could even include Health and Social Services by once again looking at the possibility of attracting foreign physicians. We can include the Executive so that they could help lobby Ottawa to increase the Northwest Territories' profile in Ottawa as a destination for immigrants. We could engage Aurora College to help address language or education deficits.

This is just one example, and this is one of the critiques of consensus government, is that we don't have a robust way to develop policies the way party systems do, and this would help address that. Real-world issues rarely fit neatly into government silos, so we must address the structural issues within our own government that prevent us from breaking our little silos in the program development, and to maintain a bureaucratic barrier between policy and the elected representatives of the people.

Earlier this week, the 19 of us met with Indigenous leaders from across the NWT. As was noted by many participants, it was an historic event, the kind that is virtually unheard of in other jurisdictions. Despite the fact that our government has a much more progressive relationship with Indigenous governments than do the provinces, it was clear from discussions that there is still much frustration, and understandably so. The finalization and implementation of land claims and self-government agreements have stalled. The entire territory, all of us, will benefit from concluding unsettled claims and implementing agreements.

There is a general consensus that a new approach is needed to move forward. What does that approach look like? I'm not sure, but I'm sure that, whatever it is, it will have to make people uncomfortable. The GNWT has spent far too long in its comfort zone. Nothing should be off the table. We want to go back to the table with fresh eyes, and without the preconceived notions that have held us back.

One of my colleagues made a comment yesterday that I thought was interesting. Instead of the GNWT and Canada presenting offers to Indigenous governments, perhaps, the GNWT and Indigenous governments should be presenting offers to Canada. That's the kind of relationship we need to strive for. We need to work together in partnership because, as was said time and time again at the meeting, we are stronger together.

We also need to begin discussions about the future of the GNWT, and I've had this discussion with many of you. The GNWT is only 50 years old. What is it going to look like in another 50 years? We are a very unique jurisdiction. As we settle these claims and as we continue to implement self-government agreements, what will the role be for the Government of the Northwest Territories in 50 years from now or 100 years from now? As communities begin to draw down programs, what should those programs look like?

We need to start having these discussions because the programs that we design right now will be administered by Indigenous governments in the future. We need to implement the recommendations by the Standing Committee on Economic Development about the drafting of legislation and the inclusion of Indigenous governments. That report was specific to the devolution legislation, but, as we heard yesterday, we need to possibly expand that to include other legislation that will affect the communities. Legislation would help the social services.

This won't be easy. This won't be an easy sell. It is, essentially, giving up power, and that is not something that people like to do. It goes hand in hand with the next issue I want to talk about, regional empowerment. It is something that has been called "decentralization." I don't like using that term, because I've heard that term for a long time now and that term hasn't yielded any results.

When we look at services, when you look at new positions, it's always easy to come up with reasons why jobs, why services should be located in Yellowknife, instead of coming up with reasons why they should be located elsewhere. The immediate cost of keeping the position in the capital doesn't factor in one of the external factors, and that is something we need to change. Going forward, this government needs to focus on how we cannot just put a job in the community, but how we can move decision-making authority to a community.

I know there are certain units where there might be five people in Yellowknife, and a couple are elsewhere. That doesn't really make sense. That's just moving a couple of jobs. We need to take a different approach to this. I found it interesting that a lot of Yellowknife Members actually brought this up, that, when they went to the doors, there is a lot of concern about the economy in these small communities. We all see that when there are low graduation rates, when there is poverty, when there are needs for housing that affects all of us. There is only so much to go around, and right now everything is centred in Yellowknife. Yellowknife has had one of the highest household incomes in Canada for 20 years, and there are other communities where the average income is $20,000 to $30,000. Somehow, we have to address this regional disparity.

Finally, I want to talk about focusing on results. One of the criticisms that I've had, that many of us have had, that the public has had, is that the government is good at talking. It's good at producing piles of glossy documents to talk about what they're going to do, but we see very little action on it. The next Premier, whoever that may be, needs to put an end to this. Creating documents, creating strategies, shouldn't be an industry. This is the public money that we are using, and it needs to be used for the public good, not to keep people busy.

There have been a lot of suggestions today. There have been lots of good comments. There has been a lot of recognition of the need to improve relationships, and I just want to say I hope that whoever becomes Premier listens to all of the speeches today, because there were good elements that need to be incorporated. We need to work together going forward, and so, if I'm Premier, I'm happy to work with the other Members and incorporate their ideas. If I'm not, I hope that we can still work together and make our system of government, make our Legislature, more functional and provide more prosperity for the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

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The Chairperson (Mr. Mercer)

Thank you, Mr. Simpson, and thank you to all four candidates for Premier for keeping your comments within the timeframes that you agreed to. Very well done, indeed.

Right now, we'll take about a 15-minute break. We'll reconvene at about five to eleven, where we'll commence our question-and-answer period. We will adjourn right now until five to eleven. Thank you.

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The Chairperson (Mr. Mercer)

Good morning, Members. We will reconvene the first meeting of the Territorial Leadership Committee. The four nominees for Premier have now made their speeches, and we will now open the floor to questions.

As you have earlier agreed, each Member is entitled to ask each of the Premiers two questions each. Once you ask your question, I will proceed to put the question to each of the four candidates in no particular order, so I may start with one candidate at one point and bounce it around a bit. We may not necessarily follow alphabetical order. I think we will follow alphabetical order for the first one, and then switch it up for the second one.

I am not going to maintain a list, Members, so after each question is asked, I ask that you please try to get my attention first to ask your questions.

That having been said, Members, I will open up the floor now to questions. Are there any who wish to ask a question? I will start with Mr. Thompson.

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Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you. Mr. Chair and candidates, as you are aware, the riding you represent have five small communities and a regional centre. Can you please tell me and everybody here how you as the Premier will do a better job of hearing the small communities' voices and concerns and improve their quality of life? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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The Chairperson (Mr. Mercer)

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. I will first start with Ms. Caroline Cochrane. Ms. Cochrane, you have five minutes on the clock. Extra points if you finish before then. The floor is yours.

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Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. To hear the voices of small communities, and all communities, actually, is critical. One of the methods that we have is actually to be as elected Members of the Legislative Assembly. We all carry the opinions and the voices of our people. We need to work better with the Regular Members and work toward listening to them better and working closer together in addressing those issues, but also there was a disconnect. I think that Cabinet in itself as Premier, if elected as Premier, I commit that actually we will be going into communities more often; and not only Cabinet alone, but as a Premier, as well.

I did watch how our Prime Minister Trudeau actually goes in. He sits and has the people around him, and I think that that is the right way, which is actually that we need to reach out more. We need to be accessible to our people. As Cabinet, as the Premier, we represent all people in the Northwest Territories, not only one riding, not our own riding at all, so we need to be accessible and we can't hear them until we're actually with them, so we need to be focused more on providing more visits to every community and to every riding in the Northwest Territories over the next four years. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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The Chairperson (Mr. Mercer)

Thank you, Ms. Cochrane. Lots of bonus points for that one, for sure. Next, I will go to Mr. Lafferty.

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Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Masi, Mr. Clerk. We live in the small communities, and it is very important for us. Our community members have told us many times that we are always doing a lot more for the larger communities, and I have heard this many times before. So when I look at it, if we are to move forward, we have to work closely together.

There are all the MLAs here. We have to all come together and make sure that we express our concern right away and support one another. We have to figure out how we can work together and solve the issue that we are working on. Whose community are we supporting? We can't just do it alone. If there are new ministers, all the ministers, they have to also come to the communities. The new ministers have to go to the communities. If the people see you all the time, they will come to know the Ministers and how they work, and they can work together with the Members.

We have to collaborate together, which should be first for us. There are 19 Members here. We have to get together and work together and, here in this Chamber, we are going to be here tomorrow. We have to always mingle and work together and have meetings together. We have to ask each other, "How is your community? How are you doing?" We have to have a lot more communication. I know that we are not always going to agree with each other, but we are representing the people, and we have to work on the people's issues. I think it should be that way. The 19 Members have to support one another.

I realize that there is a question here. I am willing to work with all of the Members who are sitting here. I will speak to you, and you are going to end up working with me. I realize in the past sometimes the Assembly before did not work as well. I heard that in the communities. We are going to have to change that and work more together.

I am really glad that that question was asked of me. If we have a concern, we have to put it on the table and talk about it, or somebody else would say, "There is an issue here at this community. Let's all go to the community and support this person." That is what I would do. Thank you.

Questions By Members
Questions By Members

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The Chairperson (Mr. Mercer)

Mahsi, Member Lafferty. Next, I have Ms. Martselos.

Questions By Members
Questions By Members

Page 17

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

I ran on the mandate of stronger communities and stronger regions. The people of the NWT want proper services in small communities, and I feel that we have to meet that mandate. A lot of jobs have been pulled out of regional centres and they have to be reinstated. I feel that, when you have a strong regional centre at that level to serve the smaller communities in your region, everybody is happy.

There has to also be a connection between the government that elected them and the government that serves them. I feel that there has been a disconnect. It is obvious from some of the complaints that we even saw yesterday, and I think that there is a gap. The gap has to be filled, and we have to fill the gap. We are all elected to do that, and that is what we expect. We expect the people who work in deputy minister levels and any part of the bureaucracy to also fill that gap on our behalf. Thank you.