Mr. Speaker, I want to make a couple of comments. There are, Mr. Speaker, I think, legitimate reasons for the recommended change. I think, speaking from experience, that one of the underlying reasons that most people want to make choices is the whole issue of some certainty of loyalty.
I understand the concern that my honourable colleague for Nahendeh has that the process of reaching consensus is designed to ensure that there is some appreciation and understanding of the positions and the variety of positions that might be taken.
But I also want to remind Members that probably the most powerful political party in the last two decades, until its demise five or six years ago, was the Dene Nation. In terms of the party relationship and the partisan positions that we took on claims, on aboriginal rights and the collective position we held together, we really showed, I think, that we were, in fact, a great political party. The bad part about what has happened, I think, indicates exactly those things. There came a time when all of us or some of us, in fact, didn't take seriously the collective importance and the political partisan relationship that was necessary for that group to be very powerful.
I see that situation as being probably the same thing with our Cabinet. There has to be a leader who leads us that receives the loyalty and support that is necessary to carry out the collective will; no different in many respects, Mr. Speaker, than our support that, at one time, we showed collectively for a man by the name of Georges Erasmus in the Dene Nation. He was our leader and we collectively supported him.
I see this whole process as being of a somewhat similar nature. Maybe in some respects we need to have this discussion outside of this Legislature and certainly we need to ensure that the people have an opportunity to make their choices.
But I am also going to say this. Despite our efforts to pass the Legislature or to give whatever direction necessary, I think it is an important issue that needs to be taken to the people. I think that, whether we take it now or whether we take it through the election, it's important that we hear clearly what the people have to say about the authority that our leader should have.
Now, saying that, Mr. Speaker, I hope that we understand that, as Mr. Lewis has said, it should really be left in many respects to the choice and direction of the people, and maybe one way of hearing that, if it doesn't happen, is through our standing committees, and if not, I certainly do hope it is one of the issues that is articulated and clearly identified on our political platforms.
The other point I also want to make clear is that I think the principle, while we are debating it, is that we are also giving second reading and therefore giving an opportunity for others to at least have their view and express their position clearly on this particular matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause
