Thank you. I will try to keep my question short because I am sure other Members want to say things. I guess what I am getting out of this discussion is the Languages Commissioner is talking about power and authority, and that without authority the position is useless. I see in this week's paper an ad for an invitation for proposals for legal counsel services for the commission which talks about legal action against the Government of the Northwest Territories. I would just like to say that it seems like we are headed for sort of a confrontational approach. It is honey and vinegar, I guess. I am not sure that those of us who worked on this provision had in mind using public money to sue our own government. I want to say that I would hope that the persuasive approach would be sought in every case and that confrontation and litigation should be avoided at all possible costs. I know it says in the report that it is a last resort but I am gathering from the answers here that there is a high frustration level and that this present protocol is not satisfactory. This has been an outstanding issue for a long time and now a lawyer is going to be hired. Being a lawyer, I want to warn you that is dangerous because they love to litigate but maybe it will be only the lawyers that will profit if we have litigation on this new legislation. I would just like to urge the Languages Commissioner -- and she can comment if she wishes -- to work more, even though it may be frustrating, on developing a cooperative relationship with the government rather than forcing a cooperative relationship with legal arguments. I like to think our government is small enough that we should be able to do that and I guess I am a little bit alarmed that we seem to be gearing up for a fight here. Thank you.
Dennis Patterson on Tabled Document 11-12(5): First Annual Report Of The Languages Commissioner Of The NWT For The Year 1992-93
In the Legislative Assembly on February 16th, 1994. See this statement in context.
Tabled Document 11-12(5): First Annual Report Of The Languages Commissioner Of The NWT For The Year 1992-93
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
February 15th, 1994
Page 175
Dennis Patterson Iqaluit
See context to find out what was said next.