Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am aware that certain comments I made in the Globe & Mail article, tabled yesterday, have given offence to some Members. My comments were intended to describe what I saw as a spirit of antagonism, intolerance and ill-will in this House that has rarely been seen before and that has surprised and disappointed many of our constituents through the Northwest Territories.
If we search our hearts, most of us have felt the negative forces. Perhaps, my own very painful experience while attempting to be a Member of Cabinet in this 12th Legislature has coloured my view of the situation. Perhaps I was too candid in suggesting that some of the undercurrents swirling beneath the surface are rooted in racial intolerance. Undoubtedly, I have offended those who are least deserving of those comments. However, Mr. Speaker, even though in my view it is battered and bleeding, as I once described myself as a Minister, I still believe in the spirit of consensus government which I saw working so well in the 9th to the 11th Assemblies. I certainly do not believe in the quick fix of political parties suggested by some observers. I am aware that Members of the western caucus have been working hard recently under the guidance of Mr. Koe as chair, and making good progress on a new Committee of Western Political Leaders to plan for the constitutional future of the western territory. I know that this work has the full support of Mr. Kakfwi, as the responsible Minister, and the Cabinet. I am looking forward to hearing the results of this work and discussing the report of the Commission on Western Constitutional Development during this session.
I also welcome the initiative of the government to sponsor a strategy session between MLAs and Cabinet to discuss, among other things, the issue of consensus government and how it can be improved. I believe that the people of the Northwest Territories expect us to confront and openly discuss this difficult issue. I do not think we should pretend that everything is all right. I hope the work of the Committee of Western Political Leaders and the joint strategy session goes well. These are encouraging developments in the spirit of tolerance, cooperation and hard work, which I believe all of our constituents expect and deserve from our Legislature. Qujannamiik.