[Microphone turned off] ...governments and building trust. Trust is not an easy thing. People often use it and say, I have often heard, "trust openly, and then, if it's taken away from you, don't trust again. Slap once, and be careful if you turn your head again." However, I will say that I have built my relationship over the last four years built on trust. I have been very honest in all of our bilaterals. Many chiefs, many Indigenous governments have called me. Many have my cell phone number, which is something I do not give out to everyone. They know it's an open-door policy. I have done things as a Minister, for Indigenous governments, that have not been done before. I am going to give you an example, even though my colleague is standing here, as well. Salt River: never before was there a housing unit put in that community, never before. As a Minister, I said "fairness to all." I was the first Minister to bring housing units into Salt River. I worked with Colville Lake. They are looking at a school. They have gotten some pushback saying, the department saying, "We want to do it on our own." I have given them my word we will work together. Trust is something that we have to build, we have to earn. It's not something that I am going to walk in and assume that we have. People, Indigenous people, have been hurt for many, many years, not only in their leadership but all of the people, so it's something that we have to be conscious with. The biggest way to build trust, in my opinion, is to be open and to be honest. I am not going to promise things I cannot deliver because, if I do that once, I have lost that trust. So I am honest. It is my strength and my weakness, and I think that most of the Indigenous governments know me by now and they know that my word is my honour. That is the most important thing that I can bring. Thank you, Mr. Speaker-elect.
Caroline Cochrane on Election Of Premier
On October 24th, 2019. See this statement in context.
Questions by Members
Election Of Premier
Election Of Premier
October 23rd, 2019
Page 61
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