Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
As this is not the beginning of a new session -- and is rather a resumption of the Third Session of the 13th Assembly -- instead of outlining what we have ahead for this sitting, I would like to use this occasion to look back on what we, as a government and an assembly, have achieved to date.
We are at an important milestone for this government -- indeed, in some ways, it is the halfway point. A point where we are well on the road to fulfilling our goals and vision for the North, but also embarking on creating new roads and new beginnings.
With almost one year behind us, we really only have little more than a year to implement our program. As Members know, the final year of this Assembly will be largely devoted to ensuring a smooth transition to division.
With that perspective, we must ask ourselves, what do we want to leave as a legacy to the governments that will follow us?
What kind of difference do we want to make in the lives of the people of the North, and for future generations of Northerners?
When the 13th Assembly took office almost one year ago, it did so faced with an extremely demanding and difficult financial and political agenda.
To meet these challenges, we developed and agreed to the following vision:
"The 13th Assembly's vision for the future is for a Northwest Territories with a secure financial future that will be more established as a viable political and economic unit of Canada; and that a healthier, better educated and more self-reliant people is able to enjoy good quality of life, and has access to more of the jobs they want and need."
To help fulfil this vision, we set out 10 priorities.
Of those priorities, the one that has received the most attention has been our actions and efforts to secure our financial future.
It is not easy to implement programs of restraint and reduction knowing, without a doubt, it will affect the lives of the people we represent.
But these are not easy times. Not for our government, or any other government in this country.
We need to continue to ask if we have the right balance. But I believe we are doing the right thing at the right time and for the right reasons ... to best serve the people of the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a few moments to recap what we, the members of this legislative assembly, have accomplished in the past 321 days. And in doing so, provide an update on how we are working to fulfil our priorities.
First, Mr. Speaker, I would like to address our pledge to secure our financial future.
As I have already stated, our main priority at this time last year, and today, continues to be balancing the budget and returning this government to a position of fiscal health. Under the direction of the Minister of Finance we have made substantive gains towards this goal. Working together in this House, we have implemented a two-year program that will fundamentally restructure the way we do government in the Northwest Territories.
As Members of this House are acutely aware, this type of fundamental structural change requires that difficult choices be made. Choices that are difficult but necessary.
Mr. Speaker, we have attempted to make these choices in a fair and equitable manner -- in a manner that treats all communities and regions as fairly as possible. That is the standard we committed to work to, and we, as a group should ... indeed must ... discuss whether we are meeting that standard. Overall, I am pleased to announce that we are on the way to accomplishing our goals and meeting our overall budget targets of a $43 million deficit for the current fiscal year. It is a good beginning, but bear in mind, to complete our program and bring in a balanced budget for 1997-98, more tough decisions and choices about how we will spend our limited resources are required.
To secure our financial future, we must stay the course we have set and continue to do -- not what it popular -- but what is best. We need to look beyond today and make decisions that build the best foundation for the North beyond 1999.
Mr. Speaker, this government has pledged to improve social conditions, to empower communities, and to work towards community wellness.
Earlier this year, we transferred the responsibility for community empowerment from the Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs to the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, because that department has people at the community level throughout the territories who are in the position to get the job done. And, I am pleased to report, they have begun to do just that. Under the direction of the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Manitok Thompson, the government has prepared a report on community empowerment that will guide us as we move ahead with this initiative.
As well, the government has committed to fast-tracking legislation and changes to policy that will allow for block funding of communities so they can set their own spending and their own program and service priorities.
In addressing the Asembly earlier this year, I noted that the community wellness initiative is closely linked with income reform and community empowerment. That is why Minister of Health and Social Services Kelvin Ng is leading a restructuring of government agencies to create a single, cost-effective agency to serve as a community wellness centre in each community.
With decisions in the hands of people at the community level, funds can be allocated to the most needed social and health services in a particular community. Healthy people and health communities will contribute to a strong economy, and a stable future for the North. Therefore, when it comes to community health and community empowerment we will continue to invest whatever we can afford to ensuring we are doing all we can.
Mr. Speaker, this government has pledged to improve economic conditions.
Aside from the stability a balanced budget will bring to the territory, we have also been working in other areas to secure a stronger economic future for our people.
We, as a government, have taken a public stand on the BHP Diamond Project to ensure northerners will have the chance to gain employment and contracting opportunities from this venture. We have made our point clear, and we will not bend if it means that Northerners will not be allowed to reap the true benefits of economic development in the North. I believe BHP wants to be partners with us in this process -- they want to get on with the job ... and so do we.
I understand that good progress is being made in discussion between aboriginal groups, BHP, the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and our government this week. As these discussions continue, I believe we will be able to reach an agreement that meets the needs of northern people. It is an important precedent ... a precedent that will establish the ground rules for other companies investing or moving to the North.
It is also important, Mr. Speaker, to point out that this issue goes beyond the BHP Diamonds Project. It is an issue of control of northern resources.
Until such time as this responsibility is devolved from the federal government to the people of the Northwest Territories, we are always going to be placed in a position of trying to ensure that the federal government protects our interests in non-renewable resource projects. This government will remain vigilant in ensuring that this occurs.
Mr. Speaker, this government has pledged to develop a more effective and efficient government structure.
When this government came to power just under a year ago, we made a promise that we would restructure and reorganize government so we would not be spending as much on administrative costs.
We have made many moves toward a leaner and more effective government structure.
We have consolidated the departments of Economic Development and Tourism, Renewable Resources and Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources into one department to not only save money, but also, under the guidance of Minister Stephen Kakfwi, to create one-stop shopping for resource-related development and economic activity.
An another step in fulfilling this priority, the government will be proceeding to redistribute the responsibilities of the Department of Safety and Public Services by December 1996, creating over one million dollars in savings in support of deficit elimination priorities.
It should be emphasized, however, that program transfers or restructuring associated with this initiative will be achieved with the consultation and input of all honourable members, and with absolutely no reduction, no reduction to safety or service levels in Northern communities.
Mr. Speaker, this government is also reviewing the privatization of a number of government agencies and departments, including the petroleum product production division, property management, and computer systems and services.
Overall, we have continued to look at every aspect of government operations to ensure they are efficient and effective, and to set a strong example for the governments that follow.
Mr. Speaker, this government has pledged to take action on aboriginal issues.
Our first step to fulfil this priority was to re-focus Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs within the Executive department to make sure this area of importance has broader access and support from cabinet.
As we have identified this as a priority of this government, and the legislative assembly, we must ensure aboriginal affairs and concerns are front and centre in all that we do -- from the creation of a new constitution for the western territory, to moving the agenda forward on self-government.
Mr. Speaker, a final priority I would like to address today is our pledge to be heard at the national level.
This summer, I had the opportunity to participate in the 17th Annual Premier's Conference in Jasper.
Among the issues brought to the table were federal reform, economic growth, social policy reform and renewal, and the topic of who has control over what.
As an active participant in these discussion, we were able to make our position on these issues clear. At the same time, we were able to develop alliances with the Yukon and the provinces to help strengthen our voice at the national level.
I can say to you with confidence that we are being heard like never before ... and I intend to make sure that it stays that way.
Mr. Speaker, as we have all been working to complete the tasks and priorities at hand, and within a short timeframe, the government recognizes we have not done as well as we could have keeping people informed -- both within this house and with the people in our communities.
I am pleased to report, members will soon see a strategy for this government that will involve all members in opening the channels of communication with our constituents and other key stakeholders.
Mr. Speaker, that is a summary of the challenges that we have faced over the past year, and the program we have put in place to meet those challenges.
Where do we go from here?
As I stated earlier, even though we have only 10 months, even though we are only 10 months into our mandate, time is short to implement our program. We must consider what we can realistically accomplish over the remaining 30 months of our term. I welcome that debate.
The first priority remains the necessity of putting our financial house in order. We are six months into a two-year program to balance the budget of this government. I have told you we are on track to meet our budget targets for the current year. However, many tough decisions will have to be made over the course of the next six months to bring in a balanced budget for 97 - 98.
If the Members of the House continue to work together, I am confident we will accomplish this goal.
Mr. Speaker, fiscal responsibility also means that we must move towards developing a healthier economy in the Northwest Territories.
The Standing Committee on Government Operations has prepared several reports proposing an investment strategy for the Northwest Territories.
This strategy, as well as strategies for job creation and the negotiation of a Northern Accord that will ensure northerners take control of northern resources, are essential elements of a vital and healthy economy.
Hand in hand with the necessity to deal with the financial situation is the work required leading up to a division of the Northwest Territories.
As we move closer to 1999, more and more of the time of this Assembly will be devoted to making decisions that will ensure a smooth transition to division into the two new territories. We must take the time to do things right. We are making vital decisions that affect the future prosperity -- both politically and economically -- of the North.
The Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, Jim Antoine, will be tabling a report from the Constitutional Working Group during this session that will put us well on the road to developing a constitution for the western Territory.
As well, the Minister of Finance has begun discussions with the Honourable Paul Martin on a process to negotiate funding for the two new territories. Mr. Todd will make sure Mr. Martin understands our unique circumstances as part of that important process.
This Assembly must also develop a process that will ensure a fair and equal division of the assets and liabilities for the two new territories. But that will only be a beginning.
We have an enormous task ahead of us in the division of the Northwest Territories. One that will demand our time in the months to come.
We are committed to ensuring that all members are involved in this process. To this end, the Division Planning Committee of Cabinet has recently appointed two ordinary members to participate fully in their discussions.
Mr. Speaker, time is short and we have many decisions to make.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to stress once again, that we have made a commitment to build a better future for the people of the North. The legacy of this Legislative Assembly must be to ensure that April 1, 1999 is a day of celebration for the people of both new territories.
Mr. Speaker, I was raised to believe that we can always accomplish more by working together. Our elders have shown us this is the best way to create a better world and a better life. I believe if we honour that lesson, and remember what the elders have taught us, we can fulfil our vision by working together.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause.