Mr. Speaker, one of the highlights for me over the past three and a half years was in chairing the Special Committee on Health and Social Services. This provided an important opportunity for people from all across the north to get their message to this Legislature about how to improve our system of health and social services.

Mr. Speaker, the public consultation was extensive and, I think, led to some important recommendations. I have been heartened by the government response to the special committee reports to date, although there is a long way to go. Initiatives like the community wellness strategy are particularly welcome.

Mr. Speaker, one area I think we need to put a lot more emphasis on in health and social services -- not only there, but in areas like education and employment initiatives as well -- is early intervention. Mr. Speaker, I think that our catch phrase should be "intervene earlier and more often."

Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, you need to have a balance between economic initiatives and social concerns. Mr. Speaker, there are economic reasons for early intervention. Recently, a comprehensive study in California, which is not known as a particularly liberal state when it comes to finances, demonstrated that every one dollar spent on drug and alcohol treatment resulted in a seven-dollar savings. Mr. Speaker, it takes a heavy investment up front to save big money later on jail, welfare and medical costs.

Mr. Speaker, the evidence is clear, though, that intervening early works but only if it is done often. It can't be a one-time effort. It must be part of a comprehensive, long-term strategy. There are lots of examples which have been proven to work and I say we don't need to reinvent the process. I say we should look at the models out there, find one that fits closest to our circumstances up here and adopt it.

I would liken my analogy, Mr. Speaker, to computer software. When you're considering computer software, you have two choices: to have your own programs custom-written for you; or, to buy programs off the shelf. My experience is that when software is custom written, it is generally very expensive compared to the off-the-shelf model and it will tend to have bugs, which need to be worked out over time and wind up costing you a lot more in money.

Mr. Speaker, whether in health, social services, education or income reform, we need to make sure we don't just go part of the way, which we've done too often in the past. We must make sure we have a good, comprehensive plan, including follow-up, and then follow it through. A program designed to effect social change must have a follow-up component to be successful or, too often, the change is only short-term. I think, Mr. Speaker, we have all sorts of examples of those in the north and we simply cannot afford programs that are not effective in the long run any longer.

Mr. Speaker, as a number of Members have noticed, after fiscal considerations in the next Legislature, division will likely be the major focus for Members of the 13th Assembly. The new Assembly must, right off the bat, find some way to deal with the issue so that our whole process doesn't fall apart in acrimony and discord. Whether through a committee, such as the Special Joint Committee on Division, or some other mechanism, an effective way must be found. We must find some way to better inform and involve all northerners -- and I repeat all northerners -- not just the aboriginal leaders, in the process. That might mean open or public meetings, maybe it means newsletters, whatever. Right now, people feel completely left out of the process. Lack of information leads to fear about where we may be headed. The next Legislature must deal with this problem quickly, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the next area I would like to address is constitutional development in the west. I would like to go on record as strongly supporting the CDSC process. I believe that we in the west can come to agreement on the shape of our government before 1999. It won't be easy, and the federal government is making it more difficult on two fronts: their refusal to fund and support adequately the CDSC process; and the slow pace of progress in negotiating self-government with aboriginal groups. Mr. Speaker, they may, in fact, be taking advantage of the situation to strengthen federal control over the north. If the CDSC process fails because of inadequate funding, the federal government can take advantage of the divisions among northerners to arbitrarily cut funding further. Mr. Speaker, as Mr. Ballantyne has noted, the federal government may not have the money to live up to the expectations they have created in the north and may not be willing to say so right now.

A similar situation would develop, Mr. Speaker, if the process falls apart because the federal government fails to conclude self-government negotiations. Northerners must be wary of a divide-and-conquer scenario, which is what the federal government appears to be following. It is difficult to comprehend how the federal government can expect that we would be able to come to an agreement on what the western government would look like after division until there is some certainty to what self-government means. Mr. Speaker, I sincerely hope the federal government will move quickly to the table to resolve that issue. In the meantime, we in the west must ensure we rally to support the CDSC as the tool to share information and strategy for dealing with federal intransigence.

Mr. Speaker, I said that I wouldn't try for any records and make this too long, and there are probably some in the House who think I've already done just that. But, Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that I was honoured to have been selected to be the first representative of the constituency of Yellowknife Frame Lake.

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The past few years have never been dull. I've enjoyed the work, especially on those occasions when I've been able to help a constituent solve a problem. I've learned a lot and have enjoyed working with the veterans and the new Members of this House. I would like to thank Mr. Hamilton and the Legislative Assembly staff for all their help and admit that much was needed during my period as a rookie.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend special thanks to my wife, Eileen, for putting up for the many evenings and weekends I've had to be away from home. It's been particularly demanding this past year, with the arrival of our new son, Tyler, and I appreciate all she's had to do to keep the family home going. Mr. Speaker, I can thank many, many more people. But the danger in doing that is I'd probably miss somebody so, rather than listing a bunch of people off by name, I would just like to say a general thank you to those in my constituency and those in this government who have helped me over the past three and a half years to do the best I could for my constituents.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to wish those Members who are retiring best wishes in their future endeavours and to those running again, I hope to see you again next fall in this Chamber down here with the gladiators and not up above with the spectators. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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