Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was pleased to see that this government is committed to eliminating the deficit over a period of two years. Particularly in the social programs area, it could be extremely difficult to eliminate the deficit in one year. We would have to take, as someone is prone to say, Draconian measures which would be especially difficult in the education, health and social services areas. I am glad to see that this government is implementing new initiatives to help make a transition in the social programs a rea.
Everybody seems to be in favour of eliminating the deficit; not only the MLAs, but the general public, too. The problem is that when a reduction affects someone, he or she begins to complain. But what areas should we cut? Some people say education, health and social services are very important. Other people say jobs are important. Other people say other areas are important. But if people don't want us to cut in certain areas, they should tell us, but they should also tell us where to cut because cuts have to be made. It doesn't mean as much to me if a person tells me not to cut in a certain area because that cut is going to affect that person. It means more if someone tells me not to cut and that person is not actually directly affected. For instance, if Joe Blow works for the union and he tells me, do whatever you can to ensure that wages aren't cut, I am listening to that person, but it doesn't mean the same if Harry Carry from Hard Luck Bay, who is not a union member, comes to me and tells me, don't cut wages from the union. That means more to me, because that person is not actually affected. But, if people don't want us to make cuts, then they should indicate to me and to the others here how to raise $100 million in each of the next three years, because that's what it means. If we don't make cuts, we have to raise $100 million or so in each of the next three years. If someone shows me how to do that, I will gladly work against making any cuts whatsoever.
But don't tell me I don't understand the situation. I have more information than you do. Don't tell me that I don't understand a bill that we are trying to pass or that we have passed, unless you're a lawyer. Don't tell me I don't care about union workers when I have six immediate family members and countless relatives and friends who work for government or who are directly affected by negotiations with the unions.
Once again, I approve the overall direction of the budget. I don't approve of every item. Nobody does; not Mr. Picco, not Mr. Miltenberger and not me. Sometimes you have to give in certain areas in order to keep things or to gain in other areas. As I indicated earlier, I do approve of the two year approach to balancing the budget. I also approve of the transition period for new initiatives. As Mr. Roland inferred earlier, sometimes we need to invest now to save even more in the future. New initiatives are investments. A few of them are early intervention; keeping people in school; the mortgage investment corporation; and, also, keeping an old program, keeping the business incentive program.
However, we also need to concentrate on jobs, and we need to show commitment to the people who have shown a commitment to the North. This means, when we're laying people off, that long-term Northerners should be the last to go. If they're laid off, they should be helped to find a placement in another area. They should be helped with retraining if it's required. I also support that only long-term residents should get scholarships.
I am also committed to these initiatives. I will help implement them and I will do my part in this government. That means working in my committees, doing research, making suggestions where warranted, reviewing plans, evaluating performances of departments and other related duties. I also intend to keep an eye on Cabinet to ensure that commitments are kept and programs and reductions are implemented fairly. This includes asking questions in the House. This includes setting up meetings with Ministers for people with concerns or problems. Also, if I come up with a good suggestion like electronic monitoring, I will not just take no for an answer. Before I drop my idea, I will need to be convinced it cannot save money or that it cannot improve conditions for residents of the Northwest Territories. In short, Mr. Speaker, I intend to make the Cabinet accountable and to offer constructive criticism and suggestions where
warranted. Mr. Speaker, I want to conclude that, while I support balancing the budget in two years, I want to emphasize that it is extremely important to actually balance the budget next year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--- Applause