Mr. Speaker, on October 16, 1995, 24 of us were given a mandate by the people of our constituencies. We, the Members of the 13th Assembly, knew we had many serious issues to deal with: the way we do business as an Assembly; the deficit, which literally grew before our eyes; division and constitutional development in the West; huge social problems; and, of course, the need for economic development. It is now May 29th and we have completed two important steps: we've significantly changed the way we do business as the Legislative Assembly; and we are just about to complete our first budget, making hard decisions that have never had to be made before in the history of this territory.
Mr. Speaker, many people said our new way of doing business would not last; that we were in a honeymoon phase and that we would quickly revert to the adversarial politics of the previous Assembly as soon as it was time to make hard decisions. Mr. Speaker, this Assembly has, in my opinion, successfully passed its first major test. With 24 MLAs, there is a wide range of opinions and perspectives. Some thought our budget didn't cut enough, some thought it cut too much. What we achieved, in my opinion, is a healthy compromise. We all agree that we have to eliminate the deficit, but discussion centres on how and when.
We have used our new approach in all our business in the House. The pace and work has been unrelenting and my opinion will continue to be unabated. I see no change in pace as we race the clock on the way to 1999 and division. It is by continuing to work together as we have up until now that we will be able to cope with the formidable agenda before us. Mr. Speaker, I'd also like to note that any success that we achieve is a result, in no small measure, of the hard work and the dedicated staff throughout all the departments, boards and agencies of the GNWT, with a special note going to the staff of the Legislative Assembly with whom we work closely on a daily basis.
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Mr. Speaker, there are many things happening in my constituency. Since the election, our community has been trying to promote unity of all residents. We have regular community leadership meetings, which include the band, Metis Nation, municipality and myself to plan and discuss a common direction for the community of Fort Smith. This sharing of information and concern helps us to focus our energies together for the benefit of the people in Smith on such areas as community empowerment and economic development. I have also met with groups and individuals in the community on a regular basis. It is very helpful to have feedback on what people want and need.
Mr. Speaker, the people of Fort Smith recognize the need for everyone to cut back and do their share. They accept this as long as it is fair and equitable among all residents and communities in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, my constituents are trying to diversify their economic base. There have been talks with BHP and hopefully with Kennecott in the near future. A group is looking at the revival of the buffalo ranch where, hopefully, the buffalo will once again roam. A local airline company is getting into speciality work and repairs of pontoons and other specialized equipment for planes. A two-man lumbering operation is getting off the ground. Mr. Speaker, Fort Smith is a government town. The key for us in these times of ongoing government restraint is to diversify our economy and draw on our economic base.
Mr. Speaker, my constituents are also concerned with the protection of the environment. They recognize the value of the land and want to see sustainable development. As a result, I will be working with this House and the appropriate Minister to ensure that this government responds to the northern river basin study which will be signed off early next month. I will also be following up with the Minister responsible on my questions about inventories and use of timber resources in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, the decisions we have made to date as an Assembly have not been easy. Many long hours and sleepless nights have been spent by us all in the past months. The decisions we have made have been tough ones, but I believe we have honoured our commitment to fairness and sharing the pain and not doing it on the backs of the poor and less fortunate. I think we've lead by example with our seven per cent pay cut and a 60 per cent cut to our pensions. It's now imperative that we remain resolute and firm in carrying out our two-year deficit elimination plan. We owe it to the people of the Northwest Territories, especially the children.
Mr. Speaker, it's now time to turn our attention, efforts and combined skills and experience to dealing with the major social problems facing us all, as well as the critical need for private sector economic development. Over the coming summer months, we will all be busy so that, come October, when we reconvene, the people of the Northwest Territories will be able to clearly see progress on initiatives like economic development, empowerment, division and community wellness.
Mr. Speaker, when I became an MLA, I entered a different world; one which, like many others, I had many opinions on but little in-depth knowledge of. Like my colleague, Mr. Picco --who, I'd like to note as a sidebar at this point, was not in the office at 7:30 a.m. when I arrived this morning, was not in the office at 7:53 when Mr. Ng came in and we had coffee together; so, contrary to the sterling image that Mr. Picco is carefully crafting for himself, there may be some feet of clay here; he was here at, I believe, 8:03 a.m --when I arrived, I didn't know some of my colleagues. Some I knew by reputation, some I knew through my work or previous involvement in community politics, municipal politics, and some --five, to be exact --I've known since I was a smooth cheeked stripling; I was a lot thinner and had a lot more hair back then. I refer to Mr. Erasmus, Mr. Rabesca, Mr. Kakfwi, Mr. Antoine and Mr. Morin. I would like to especially acknowledge my friend and colleague, who sits to my immediate right. He and I first met after we were elected. His election picture was nothing at all like the real person. I value his friendship and, of course, his sage counsel.
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to be serving with each and every one of my colleagues. I enjoy the spirit of give and take, the ideas and solutions that are generated as a result and, of course, the humour, which is an all-important factor, especially when dealing with the occasional absurdity that may bedevil us temporarily from time to time.
Mr. Speaker, I believe everyone has the best interests of their constituents and the NWT at heart when carrying out their duties as MLAs. If we continue to follow the path we've agreed to in the Agenda for Change, I believe we will be able to keep faith with those best interests in the days and months ahead.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to wish everyone a safe trip home, good hunting and a restful but productive summer. Thank you.
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