Masi, Mr. Clerk. [Translation]There is major development in the Northwest Territories. Everyone talks about it, especially capital. Whether it's a hospital or a school, it is up to the government. As a government and with the federal government, we need to work together. There is some responsibility that falls under the territorial government and federal government. We need to work together in that way.
The Member from Hay River also mentioned this. We need to open our doors to each other, and we need to also take their advice. That is the only way to go forward. Not only that, but yesterday, when we met with the northern leaders, there were some elders who were there, as well, and they did say to us, "As small communities, we don't benefit in a lot of ways." As the MLAs around this table, we need to make that a priority. We were starting to talk about it last week and this week, as well.
We need to submit this to the federal government. Whoever is the Premier will take that message to the federal government. If we don't talk for ourselves, we won't get anything done. There was a person from the Sahtu region who said that, when they wait for the government to make a decision, everything falls behind. They said that finally they have decided to start to go ahead with business on their own.
When we look at all of this in the Northwest Territories, a lot of Aboriginal governments, we need to open our doors to them and work closely with them. We have federal government funding, territorial government, like the P3 projects. We could work well together easily in that way. When we look at the Northwest Territories, we need to take a good look at our resources and how we can all help each other and work with each other. Today we have a new hospital that we spent $300 million on, and we need a lot of our people working there.
Even right in Behchoko, my community, we need more of our people working in these positions. We are always hiring from the South. When we look around, we see a lot of non-Dene people working in our communities. We need to change that as well and the way that we handle the contracts. We need to hire our people, and train our people. We need to include that, as well. Also, the BIP program is not working well, and when a contract is given, they are given a certain percentage. The Member from Hay River was on that, and I am thankful for him for giving that information. He does not agree with the BIP program, as well. We need to change that policy. I think that is the only way we're going to see changes in the Northwest Territories.
It is up to us as individuals, as a government. We need to change those policies. What are we afraid of? This government is going to change after today. We need to change those policies. What are we afraid of? This government is going to change after today. We need to face our people and get their advice, as well. I think it's important that we hear the communities, as well. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. [End of translation]