Thank you, Madam Speaker. On Monday, I held a public constituency meeting in Apex, in my constituency. This is a special place with special people. Among other issues raised at the meeting were some very strong opinions expressed about the need for an election in Iqaluit. I would like to share with Members of the House what several of the bright, young Inuit constituents said at this meeting. What we have in place is undemocratic. If the government believes in the democratic process, what's stopping the calling of an election and an elected body overseeing the financial problem solving? This delay suggests that an elected council can't be trusted.
Another young person at my public meeting suggested that I should tell the Honourable Silas Arngna'naaq, democracy made you a Minister.
Another young constituent offered the following analysis: there is no council in Iqaluit, the many residents of Iqaluit have no leader because of the mistakes of a very few short-term residents who have left town. We need a quick election. Long-term residents are suffering and this is very unfair. We are at a crucial time in the political development of this territory and this community. A very few people are holding back development of this community.
Madam Speaker, yesterday I talked a little bit about growing frustrations being developed by the good persons appointed to the Municipal Advisory Committee in Iqaluit. They have even been told that they should not contact the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, they should communicate only through the municipal administrator.
On the calling of an early election, the Municipal Advisory Council ignored that advice and they have written directly to the Minister. I think I know why they did not rely on Mr. Beaumont, the administrator, to carry their message, because he is quoted in the March 18 local newspaper as saying, "We are not ready to have a council next week. There are so many things to look at." Then he is re-quoted in the article as reciting some of the things he feels need to be looked at. Get this...