Mr. O'Brien, the Minister said on page 546, that "the amalgamation proposal as presented is not going ahead". Mr. Speaker, from that, I was trying to ascertain from the Minister if there was a new proposal on amalgamation. Mr. Speaker, I was not starting a crisis. I was asking a question. The proposed amalgamation might have been crisis for the affected employees who were going to be laid off as a result. That should not be belittled.
Mr. Speaker, question period is to provide answers, not to prompt debate, argue or ridicule a Member, or marginalize his or her statements. The decorum in this House has slipped to an all time low, and I will not be party to the baiting of Members for the sake of a sound bite in the media. Mr. Speaker, it would seem that any question on the direction, policies, financial plans, reductions and layoffs are not to be raised by the Members without upsetting the Executive Council.
I ask a lot of questions. I make no apology for that, and by marginalizing my questions or attacking me as a fear monger only demonstrates to the people of the Northwest Territories the pettiness and contempt some of you have for an individual trying to represent his or her constituency. In consensus government the Ordinary Members are here to try to provide the checks and balances to the Executive Council. Mr. Speaker, I will continue that role to the best of my ability. Crisis or no crisis. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause