Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank my honourable colleague, Ms. Thompson, for her kind words. I never quite saw myself as Wayne Gretzky. I saw myself as Ty Domy but anyway, Mr. Speaker, I do appreciate her kind words particularly since she said them publicly today.
Mr. Speaker, this is the first time in my seven years, as a Member of this Assembly, that I have taken the opportunity to reply to an opening address. More than likely, Mr. Speaker, it will be my last. There are a number of things I would like to address and a number of people that I have to express my appreciation to. So if all of you will bear with me today. It has been a long time since I was first elected to serve as a Member for Keewatin Central. A great deal has changed in this Assembly and in the Northwest Territories.
When I was first elected to office, I was of the view, probably not unlike most newly elected Members, that I was going to change the world. Over the past seven years, I have come to understand that government simply does not work that way. I guess my view has changed over that time from wanting to change the world to recognizing that you have to take incremental steps to make life a little better for the people you serve.
The past seven years have been amongst the most exciting and challenging times of my life. I consider it a rare privilege to have been able to serve the people of Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove and the people of the Northwest Territories. There is, however, Mr. Speaker, one aspect of this life that has been impossible to overlook or for me to accept. Mr. Speaker, it is fair to say that the view of the general public concerning politicians has also changed dramatically. We live in a time in which the media has become pervasive, the advent of the Internet, a tendency toward the reporting of only the most salacious and intimate details of the lives of public figures. The growing role of the media as purveyors of public opinion simply, Mr. Speaker, astounds me. All of this has created an environment in which we are encouraged in our appetite for the most negative, most sensationalistic news reporting. It has become public sport to assume the worst of government and the role of the media to reinforce these suspicions.
I understand the desire and the absolute need for the media and the public to criticize politicians and governments on issues related to policy. This is a cornerstone of our democratic system. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, this often grows into personal criticism that goes far beyond constructive. Perhaps because of my own personality - certainly, as you all know, I have never objected to a good argument - and perhaps because I have had the lead on a number of the most controversial initiatives of this government, I often think that I have become a bit of a lightning rod for the public's discontent.
There have been many things written about me and more importantly my family on Internet sites and in other forums that no one should have to tolerate. This is a part of public life that I have never and can never accept. I would urge all members of the public, and particularly those who are in a position to influence public opinion, to recognize the huge responsibility that comes with that role. There is a degree of pessimism and cynicism out there that is counterproductive to moving things forward and to achieving any positive measures to enhance the lives of the people in our communities. We need to find a way to temper our criticism with a balanced perspective, to look inward at our own faults as I do all the time before criticizing others. We need to find positive ways to focus our energy if we are going to do any good in the future. I am convinced, Mr. Speaker, that this is the only way that we will see progress in the north.
While I have been many times discouraged, in many ways, by the negativity and the vicious comments on the Internet; I am still buoyed by the many good people that I have met in my time as MLA for Keewatin Central...
--Applause
...and the many, many good deeds that I have witnessed. It is fair to say that the good times have far outweighed the bad times. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take some time to review some of our accomplishments.
In late 1991, when I first joined the Legislative Assembly as the MLA for Keewatin Central, I was everyone's favourite MLA, John Todd, only a phone call away. Back in those days, we were still negotiating the Nunavut Land Claim and division still seemed like a distant, but attainable, dream. One of my first responsibilities within the government was as the Chair of the Standing Committee on Finance. All my Newfie friends back home in the Keewatin thought I got the best job in government as Chairman of the SCOFF because to them a SCOFF was just a big party with lots to eat.
--Laughter
In fact, it is where I got my first taste of the challenges of dealing with government finances. Through the Standing Committee on Finance, we conducted a thorough review of government departments, mounted a vigorous attempt to make the government accountable for its spending, and it is probably where my personal aspirations to become a Finance Minister were born.
However, when I did get the opportunity to join Cabinet, one of my early portfolios was as the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. Being the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism is a little like being Santa Claus because you get to give stuff away, and yes, everybody likes you. I enjoyed the portfolio because it gave me a real opportunity to fulfil one of the ambitions that pushed me into politics in the first place. A desire, Mr. Speaker, to help the little guy. We gave grants to small businesses and pushed authority to the regions so that local people gained greater accountability over decision-making.
However, one of our most important achievements, and one of which I am exceeding proud, is the work we achieved in promoting and encouraging aboriginal equity partnership in economic development initiatives. I recognize that there is a fine balance between birthright corporations, created out of the settling of land claims agreements, and the private sector Inuit development corporations, but I also believe that both have their rightful place in the economy of northern communities. Where would we be today were it not for the thrust to put the ownership of businesses in the hands of the aboriginal and non-aboriginal people? We could be looking at a scenario where all of the buildings now owned by Inuit companies are owned by outsiders, by southern firms. All of the contracts out there could only be bid by these same outside firms. I remember the days when the construction companies came into the Keewatin, and it was all outsiders. I remember these days well. I remember the days when the buildings were all owned by outsiders. I remember them well. Instead, the reality is that today that 95 percent of government contracts are in the hands of northerners and, more importantly, aboriginal northerners. That is a significant achievement.
--Applause
Not only for this government, the government under Mr. Morin, but the government under previous leaders. How quickly we forget.
I think we should pay tribute to our predecessors in the Legislative Assembly who supported the notion of aboriginal equity and came forward with the policies. Mr. Ballantyne, Mr. Wray, Mr. Patterson, Mr. Arlooktoo, I can go on and on and on. They found the ways and means to make it happen. When I was involved in the first joint venture partnership with the Inuit in 1973, I believed implicitly that aboriginal people must be significant players in the economic constituency, and that, if I may, Mr. Speaker, to repeat a phrase coined by my good friend, Jack Anawak, we want to be simply, John, landlords in our own land. I believed it then; I believe it now.
The Keewatin has always had a strong entrepreneurial spirit and I am pleased to have had the opportunity to help my constituents harness that spirit in as many ways as they have dreams. I have seen many successful economic development projects get off the ground over the years, including the Keewatin Meat and Fish Plant, the Ikingutigiit Centre which serves as an incubator for smaller businesses, the sewing centre, and the Kivalliq Partners in Development, to name but a few. It is my fervent wish for the people of the Keewatin that they continue to carry this entrepreneurial spirit with them as they move boldly toward Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, during my tenure in Cabinet, I also had the opportunity to head up the Department of Transportation. They were the good days, Mr. Speaker. Back then, that was a fun job too, because it was also a department with lots of money to spend and challenging, but intriguing, problems to tackle. One of our biggest achievements came as a result of an idea brought forward by my friend and colleague, Mr. John Ningark. It was Mr. Ningark's idea to build access roads from communities in the eastern Arctic into fishing lakes and tourist areas. While these roads are in abundance now, they were not even contemplated then. They have improved the lives of northerners and increased the quality of recreation for our elders and our youth.
--Applause
I would like to thank Mr. Ningark for championing this worthy initiative and more importantly, the staff of the Department of Transportation for seeing it through.
While I am talking about this portfolio, I would also like to take a moment to acknowledge one of my biggest failings, and one that I take personal responsibility for. I am sure some of you can guess that I am referring to the debate that developed around the issue of fuel resupply. In embarking upon this initiative, the objective was to reduce the cost being paid for fuel for all residents of the Keewatin. I never imagined that the debate would fuel such divisiveness between communities in the region and pit one against the other. Mr. Speaker, I never imagined that that would happen. I deeply regret that this was the result of that initiative. It was a failing on my part that I did not clearly communicate to my constituents, and to all affected parties, the important objective that we were trying to achieve, for the benefit of everyone, not just Rankin Inlet. I remain convinced that fuel supply is one area where the residents of the Keewatin are simply paying too much money. While the final numbers are not in, all indications are that it will cost 10 percent more for fuel delivered in the conventional way than it would if we had been successful in this undertaking. It is my hope, Mr. Speaker, that future leaders will keep this issue in mind and will find a more reasoned, and less contentious way to examine how costs can be reduced to the people of the eastern Arctic.
Mr. Speaker, I also had the opportunity to take on the portfolio of Energy, Mines and Resources. Like I said, these were the good days. This is where I learned so much about the importance of non-renewable resources to the future of the north, both east and west.
The economic potential of the Northwest Territories in my opinion is staggering. I know you have heard it before, but I am still not convinced that northerners understand or realize how big the potential really is, or what is at stake. So, I am going to repeat for those who may be hearing the message for the first time. If you may, Mr. Speaker, let me offer you a small sampling of our potential. When surveyed by the Fraser Institute, mining companies in Canada rated the NWT as having the highest resource potential of any region in Canada. The value of the mineral resources in the Coronation Gulf, alone, is estimated at $10 billion. The NWT has the second highest level of mineral exploration expenditures in Canada. However, as impressive as our mineral stores may be, they are equalled, if not surpassed, by the vast reserves of oil and gas in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin.
The Editor of Hart's Oil and Gas World wrote,
The area north of the 60th parallel holds exceptional promise. This area contains 23 percent of Canada's light crude, 26 percent of the natural gas established reserves and discovered resources, 48 percent of its potential recoverable gas and 59 percent of its potential recoverable oil.
In the Norman Wells area alone, we are looking at structures with 100 million-plus barrels The only thing comparable in Canada might be the offshore on the east coast.
Then, of course, there is the subject which some of you say has become my obsession, diamonds, yes, Mr. Speaker, diamonds. You would have to be living on the moon not to know that BHP Diamonds recently opened the Ekati Diamond Mine north of Yellowknife. This first mine will account for an estimated six percent of the world's diamond production. Once Diavik and other prospects come on line, as much as 10 to 15 percent of the world's diamonds will be produced in the Northwest Territories. Think of it, Mr. Speaker, 10 to 15 percent of the world's diamonds in this part of the country. If you consider that up to 30 percent of our diamonds are of gem quality, in a world where diamond jewellery brings in $75 billion in annual sales; then you begin to appreciate, and I hope you all do appreciate, what the north has to offer.
At the risk of being repetitive, Mr. Speaker, I will say it again. BHP will generate over $14 billion in revenues during the 25-year life cycle of its first mine. Its profit over the same period will be over $4 billion plus. The Government of Canada will also be a major beneficiary of diamond mining. The federal government's net fiscal benefit on the first mine will be somewhere in the region of $4.4 billion.
In contrast, the point I am trying to make here today, is that you have to understand the importance of this whole initiative and the need to move forward. In contrast, the government stands to receive comparatively little revenue, somewhere around $17 million, probably build the Weledeh school that Mr. Henry and others have been working so hard on.
Of all the riches and all the wealth that diamonds will bring, It is my opinion, very little will accrue to northerners. Am I the Minister that wanted to choke a mule!? You better believe it. Would I say it again. Absolutely. We have just as much right as anyone else to benefit from the wealth of diamonds. This is not Africa, this is not Papua New Guinea, this is not Namibia, this is Canada. These are our diamonds.
--Applause
Now to Mr. Kakfwi's credit, he is not here now, he did make a concerted effort and has made some inroads and I applauded him today for that. I hope he, as the rest of you, will remain vigilant with this industry. I will repeat, remain vigilant with this industry, $14 billion that they are going to take out of this country and we get next to nothing. It is not acceptable to me. Do not be satisfied with what you have, work hard to get more. They are your diamonds, you have every right to them.
As I have said many times before, to the point of being repetitive, the north must be given jurisdiction by Ottawa over its own non-renewable resources. Right now, the Government of the Northwest Territories has the responsibility for managing high-cost programs, education, health care, social assistance, transportation and forest fires, but the federal government has not given us jurisdiction over oil, gas and minerals. Those are the ones that generate the revenues for this country, that is why it is important that the Economic Investment North Strategy, that is why it is important to look at the big picture. This is a major factor in our current level of dependence.
If the north is to have any future at all, we must find a way as I have said before, to reduce that dependence. I am sick and tired of being lock wards of the state. I want to be a master in my own home, both politically and economically. We need to get more money from Ottawa through a tax window. We need to get Northerners to understand, to put their differences aside to move forward aggressively, in developing a new fiscal relationship with the federal government. We simply must get access to the tax window so that we maintain a greater share of the revenues so that we can continue to deliver the kinds of services your constituents have all become accustomed to. We want the right to make our own decisions and to determine our own destiny.
Mr. Speaker, while these are the goals I believe we must continue to pursue, it would be remiss of me if I did not take this rare opportunity, and this is a rare one to me, to review a few more of the successes that I have had the great good fortune to be a part of.
I have also had the chance to serve as the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board. The Workers' Compensation Board has experienced several years of exceptional fiscal results. Finding itself in a deficit in 1992, to achieving an operating surplus of over $20 million in 1997. So I will not go into all the details, you have heard it from me before, but I will tell you, I fundamentally believe that WCB is the crown jewel of this government. In fact, it is probably one of the best WCB's in the country.
I would like to pay tribute to the Board of Directors of the WCB for their able guidance. I also want to thank Gerry Meier and his staff for doing a difficult job on a daily basis with the utmost, and I stress, the utmost of professionalism.
I would also like to acknowledge the work of the Public Utilities Board and its Chairperson, Mr. John Hill. Mr. Hill lives in Hay River and I see him about twice a year and I kind of like it that way. So let me tell you something about Mr. Hill. There is no more vigilant man trying to protect the interest out there of the consumer out there in terms of power and the cost of power than he is. I have not given him over the years the credit that is due him. I stand today to tell you that we should be thankful that man is in the chair of the Public Utilities Board. He has done an outstanding job protecting the interest of the public and I want to commend him publicly today.
I want to talk, Mr. Speaker, about a few more things and then I will get back to my personal dissertation where I am at and where I think we should go. I want to talk about balancing the budget. I want to talk about the difficult task it was to do. Balancing the budget simply could not have happened without the overall support of my Cabinet colleagues and this House. As difficult a task as it was, and I am not saying that we did not make mistakes in balancing the budget. Everybody makes mistakes. As difficult a task as it was, I would raise the question for you today, in my final days of office. Where we would be today if we had not made the tough decisions then? Where would we be today? Where would our kids and the two new governments be today?
Let me tell you where they would have been today. They would have been fiscally bankrupt. They would have been $300 million in the hole. They would have been fighting over who was going to pay the interest payments. We made the tough decisions. I made the tough decisions and I take responsibility for them. Not all were correct, but they were done with the overall objective of trying to bring some fiscal stability to the country and to give some future to the kids including my own.
We are now in a situation where with all our hard work, we are in a surplus position. All of you should take credit for that. Public at large is not going to thank for that. I spoke the other day about how the public is angry at us. I understand why the public is angry. When you take away, people do not like that.
We had to make the tough decisions and I have said on a number of occasions in this House, I want to be judged on not what I say but what I do. I want to also say, talk about it if I may, the two new territories and the transition action plan. The creation of two territories has taken an inordinate amount of leadership by everybody in this room. It has taken an inordinate amount of patience by the negotiators.
The reality is, it was not a discussion between two parties. It was a discussion between all parties. With all kinds of conflicting points of view. Everybody was an expert on division, but I tell you today, I say with all sincerity, all of you, and I mean this sincerely, rose above, although on occasion we all got our own selfish interest, rose above that. I believe, fundamentally believe, that the action plan that we put in place will, in fact, bring about an amicable divorce and ultimately a reconciliation. I truly hope so.
I want to thank all the parties, if I may today at my last opportunity, for all their efforts on division. Though I have had my differences with a number of people on this issue, I fundamentally believe we have risen above those, and I have to give full credit to the staff. Not just our staff, all staff. There are many out there so I will not mention them in case I miss anybody. At the end of the day, there simply has to be a reconciliation. We must act as one even though we are separated.
I want to also applaud all the players, if I may, on the formula financing agreement. I want to particularly thank, today again, Mr. Martin, federal Minister of Finance, who is sympathetic and gave direction to the bureaucrats. I frankly do not know where we would have been, Mr. Speaker, if he had not done that. Certainly in the early days of negotiations, we were no where near the kind of numbers that we have achieved.
I do not want to fool anybody today. The two agreements that we have reached had to provide essential services, but a good agreement with changes in them that will give you more flexibility. But you simply must move on the next initiative. I plead to you to move on the next initiative, and that is the final way in which to get the new revenues and the new taxes that you are going to require. There is no fiscal panacea out there. There is no Santa Claus going to offer you more money. You simply must look deep within yourself and move forward on what you think is important and try to reach consensus, as we have on division, on this new relationship that we need with the federal government to provide us with the additional fiscal resources we need.
I have to say again, if I may, I find it absolutely incredible that we are so close to division. Frankly, apart from a small hiccup which of course Mr. Dent would have to take full responsibility for, there has been very little controversy, real controversy in creating new territories. Think about it. All the work that took place over the last year or so, think about what we have done. We have actually reached an arrangement on assets and liabilities. The developing training. We have moved forward in an orderly way to find a way to assist both new governments. Yes, there has been difference of opinion.
So I think it is a credit to all the players in Nunavut and the NWT that assisted in division. As I say, Mr. Dent will have to take full responsibility for the hiccup we have today, but I am confident he will be able to reach an agreement with his colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, at one time, with some regrets I suppose, I already talked in my earlier statement about the very personal regret I have with respect to some of the abuses handed out by the press, particularly with the Internet, I think it is appalling. At one time known as MOE, "Minister of Everything, and the Beast from the East", I have gone from being everyone's favourite MLA to being Darth Vader.
You know what was really scary is that my kid knew who Darth Vader was, and I had to explain to him on a number of occasions that his Dad was not as bad as the press said he is, even as late as yesterday when I took him to school.
Would I have done it differently? Would I have done some things differently? Probably. Were the objectives honourable? I think they were.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank if I may, some very important people in my constituency, and thank my honourable colleague, Ms. Thompson, who have provided invaluable advice, support, loyalty, friendship and assistance over the past seven years. There are so many, Mr. Speaker, that I hope my friends and my constituents will forgive me if I miss some of them and I hope you will bear with me today if I can go on record as trying to thank many of them.
There are three elders in Rankin Inlet who have always been there to give me sage advice when I needed it. They used to put me in my place when it was required by simply having tea with me and telling me I was wrong. I would like to thank Pierre Karlik, Mariano Aupilardjuk and the late Lucien Taparti.
I have been fortunate to have many dedicated people who have spent countless hours to work on my campaigns and to offer support, advice or friendship. If I may, Mr. Speaker, I would like to mention their names today. They are in no particular order, but I think it is important that they understand that I am publicly acknowledging their support: Shawn Maley, Dawson Milley, Lorne Kusugak, Johnny Naukatsik, Bette Palfrey, Peter Tatty, Ron Roach, Justin Merritt, Keith Sharpe, Mrs. Sateana, Felix Pissuk, The Aksadjuaks, The Irkootees, Mary Kuksuk, Betty Udliak and many more. Of course, Mr. Speaker, my good friend whom I miss terribly, Mr. Don Palfrey.
This is a side of me I like to keep private, Mr. Speaker, but it is difficult today.
I can honestly say, it was a privilege and a challenge to represent all these people over the last three years.
I would also like to thank my constituency assistants, Sandy Kusugak and Liz Copeland, for their tireless assistance.
In Whale Cove, I particularly want to thank Ian and Elizabeth Copeland, Percy Kabloona, Stanley Adjuk, Lewis Voisey and the late Joe Ulurksit.
I hope that I was in some small way able to provide the type of representation that was expected of me and that, together, we have made some small improvement in the lives of our friends and neighbours.
For the past six years in Cabinet, Mr. Speaker, I have had the chance to serve as Minister of many different departments and to work with many fine public servants.
When I was first elected to this House, Mr. Speaker, my views on public servants was quite different than it is today. After six or seven years of seeing the sheer amount of work and the incredible dedication of our senior civil service, my opinion, Mr. Speaker, has changed completely.
I hope my staff that I work with will bear with me today. I simply would like to recognize Lew Voytilla. I simply cannot imagine this government functioning without him. I have never seen a man like it in my life. He works six and a half days a week, I do not know how his wife puts up with it or his family, but I will tell you that is one outstanding bureaucrat that I respect and admire.
Andrew Gamble. What would I have done without Andrew Gamble. Andrew Gamble is a very dedicated civil servant. He worked hard for this country. He was a great Deputy Minister of Transportation. I loved working with him. I simply do not know where the country would be without him today. I want to thank him today publicly both for his friendship, his professionalism and his concern for the country and the civil service. I do not know where the civil service would be today without Andrew Gamble.
Some of you may differ about my comments about Mr. Roland Bailey. Let me tell you today and I have to say it, I have never seen a man more abused in my life by the press than Mr. Bailey. This is a Northerner who came to this country in 1953. I knew his father in 1970-71 when he was a wildlife officer in Churchill and I was Settlement Manager in Rankin Inlet. I have to tell you today, any grief I have caused that man I regret it but I treasure his companionship, I respect his professionalism and at the end of the day he can hold his head high. He has my support. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
I just want to mention these three because they have been important people in my life in the last seven years. As I said, it is not often that I bear my soul in public. It is something I usually try to keep very private.
I think it is also important to single out two individuals who have placed a great deal of trust in me over the past six years that I have had the privilege to serve in Cabinet, Nellie Cournoyea and Donnie Morin.
During my first three years in Cabinet, I had the opportunity to work for Nellie Cournoyea. I was indeed fortunate in this regard. Always free with her advice, sometimes blunt with her criticism, Nellie taught me some of the basic fundamentals of political life in the North. Nellie is a consummate politician with an innate ability to get to the heart of an issue and a talent for brilliantly representing the interests of her constituents. I am privileged to have learned at her knee, Mr. Speaker.
I must also acknowledge Nellie is a consummate politician, with a innate ability to get to the heart of an issue and a talent for brilliantly representing the interests of her constituents. I am privileged to have learned at her knee.
Mr. Speaker, I must also acknowledge and we should not forget, the leadership that Mr. Morin has provided over the past three years. In my view, Mr. Speaker, this Legislative Assembly has dealt with the most complex and difficult issues in our short history. We have not always done so perfectly but I hazard to say that, by and large, we have done some successfully. Other Members of this House acknowledged Mr. Morin's leadership in their remarks during the consideration of the conflict report. I would like to add my voice to this view of Mr. Morin's record. All of the accomplishments of this Legislative Assembly have happened on Mr. Morin's watch. I can only hope that these accomplishments are taken into account when the final chapter is written in his political career. A career that I suspect is far from over.
Mr. Speaker, I have been privileged to serve with many other Members of this House over the years. While there are some that I have agreed with more than others, I would like to thank all Members, and I mean this sincerely, for their support on many issues and their constructive criticism on others.
Now there are, of course, Mr. Speaker, in assemblies like this, certain Members you bond with more than others, and I hope Members will not take offence if you were not somebody that I bonded with on a regular basis. I want to thank Floyd Roland, Mike Miltenberger, for their morning chats over coffee and their very wise advice I got over the years, I simply could not have done it without them and I want to say today to them publicly, thank you, both. I want to thank Roy Erasmus for his work on the Standing Committee on Government Operations and his relationship with me and I appreciate, Roy, the work you helped me get through. Mr. Steen. I could never understand Mr. Steen. He would ask me a question and I figured he was going somewhere. I was trying to look for some hidden message, et cetera. Mr. Steen to me is just one wise, I will not call him old, one wise sage that I felt and still feel has some talent out there that is so hidden that at some point is going to come out.
--Laughter
This is the man I used to be afraid of when he asked me a question, because I figured there was always some catch to it. I want to thank Mr. Steen for his support over the years.
--Applause
Jane Groenewegen. Now I know Mrs. Groenewegen, along with Mr. Morin, have gone through some terrible times and I have personally gone through some real serious agony over this debate that took place in the last little while, both personally and professionally. I want to thank Jane for all her support over the years and I hope at some point that we will all be able to recognize that we all have to work together in the future Legislative Assembly, that that will occur. I know the advice that she gave me over the years and her friendship and our personal discussions were very much appreciated. I have, on occasion, through no fault of my own of course because I am obviously without fault, on occasion that I have inadvertently said things I should not have, and I want to say today I apologize to her for that.
Mr. Ningark. Me and John go a long way back. In the early days, I remember John when he was the first secretary manager in Pelly Bay working with Father Goussard and Father Larson. John has been a wise sage, a good and loyal friend over the years and I want to thank him for that too.
I hope I do not embarrass Mr. Henry, but I want to thank him for one casual conversation late one evening when he helped me over a difficult time. I want to thank him today, publicly, for that conversation. I think he knows what it was.
To those of you I have missed, I apologize. It is not intended to be that way. I want to leave the best for last, that is Mr. Picco. For those of you I missed, it is not intentional, I hope you will appreciate that. I am on the way out and will say it soon. I just wanted to thank those who I have had a special relationship with.
Mr. Picco. What can I say about Ed? I could write chapters about him. I watched him try to be John Todd...
--Laughter
Goo Arlooktoo, Donnie Morin, Jane Groenewegen, he wanted to be everybody, but Ed's heart is in the right place. He works hard for his constituency and I know that he will be successful in the new election and the country will be better for it.
--Applause
There are some others, Mr. Speaker, I would like to just mention, if I may. I would like to mention Mike Ballantyne, Gordon Wray, for their advice, particularly in the early days and made my job a little easier.
I want to talk about my Cabinet colleagues, if I may. I want to try to be careful because it is a sensitive time. I want some of you to understand some of the difficulties that my Cabinet colleagues, and I can say it today, have had. Let me talk about Mr. Ng. I remember when Kelvin got elected to the Cabinet and he says I want the Health portfolio. I told him he was mad. I said, what did you put in your Wheatie Bits this morning, Kelvin, my God, nobody wants that portfolio, it is probably the most difficult one in the world, except of course, for mine. He chose that portfolio. Most of you do not know that. He chose that portfolio knowing the difficulties that had to occur, and I respect him for it. There is no harder working guy in this Assembly than Kelvin Ng.
--Applause
I used to set my alarm and at one point it got so bad he was going to get in first in the morning. I actually set my alarm one day for 5:30 in the morning. I was going to beat him no matter what. I would come in at 6:30 in the morning during the tough times, Kelvin would be there, coffee on, cheery smile and I could never understand it. How could a person live with that portfolio. I do not want to look at it. You have to recognize and the public, the dilemma and difficulties that this guy has had to handle. This is not just a territorial issue, health care, it is a world issue. I want to acknowledge today, both his personal relationship that we have developed over the years before I knew him in office and when I knew him in office, I want all of you to understand that he chose this portfolio because he felt, then as he does now, and I believe it anyway, that he could make it better and make things happen.
Mr. Arlooktoo. When he first got elected, I did not think he was old enough. I heard he was 31 years old, a young kid coming in naive following in dad's shoes. I remember his father well. I remember Ipeelee and all the other guys in Baffin. I watched this guy grow in leaps and bounds to the point where he has actually overshadowed me. Mr. Arlooktoo is a born natural leader. He is the future, as for some of you across the floor and the leadership in Nunavut, and I know at the end of the day that he is compassionate, caring, fair, moderate in his politics and will move forward in doing what is best for the country. I want to thank him for his friendship over the years and I want to wish him well, truly well in the election in Nunavut, and I hope to God that he is there, the country simply needs him.
--Applause
Charles Dent. Every time I looked at Charles, I thought he stepped out of Harry Rosen or Holt Renfrew. The only guy who could outdress me. I think his wife did it for him. I used to say, Charles you will not stand up in a dark room in case somebody sees him. Charles Dent, a man who feels passionately about his politics. Sometimes I am little concerned about Charles, I never know whether he is to the left or to the right occasionally, and I know that he comes from a family that is intimately involved in politics and are very sympathetic, very sympathetic to those less fortunate. I fundamentally believe that that is where Charles Dent is at. I think he believes passionately about what has to be done in this country. He cares about those who are underprivileged and I know he feels very strong about education. I want to thank Charles Dent and his wife for their friendship over the years and for his support in Cabinet with me.
--Applause
Mani Thompson. Mani Thompson and I go back. I frankly do not know how we get along because we really are two opposites and suddenly, in terms of the way in which we behave, we are certainly two opposites. For some reason, Mani's mom and dad, if you will allow me for a moment today, they just seemed to take to me and over the years, like Mani, I have really appreciated the support they have given me. The occasional advice they gave me through Mani over the years. Mani is a wonderful person who lives the good life and I believe wants to do well for the people in Nunavut. I want to thank Mani and in particular, if I can today, her parents for the support and her extended family, her sisters, the support they have given me over the years and I know she will do well for Nunavut in 1999.
--Applause
Maybe it is a little unfair and I really do not want to say too much today about Mr. Kakfwi and Mr. Antoine because both of them are running for leader tomorrow. Let me tell you, these are two good men. I do not think it would be fair for me to give my personal opinion at this point on both these gentleman and I hope, Jim, you will bear with me there. I want to say publicly these are two good men and I hope, at the end of the day, that whoever wins, there will be a reconciliation we can move forward and finish off the agenda we started.
--Applause
It goes without saying, Mr. Speaker, like all Members of this House, I am indebted to the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, David Hamilton. I cannot imagine where the heck we would be without his benevolent guidance in terms of what he provided both this Assembly and me. David and I go a long long way back. The old Bay days, the old local government days. I want to thank him today publicly along with the two other guys with him, Doug and Dave, for his support, but I am sure you both recognize the special thank you I want to give to David.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, it is difficult to put into words the importance of your personal staff in this job. In this regard, I have got to tell you, I have been unusually blessed with exceptional staff. To my first Executive Assistant, Rick Bargery, who was there with me at the beginning and who stuck with me as we learned the ropes together, I want to say a heartfelt thanks for the five years of loyal and dedicated service. I do not know, again, where I would have been without his able help and his wit and his skill with a pen.
--Applause
To April Taylor, my God, when Rick introduced me to April Taylor, I thought, it is the female me. How am I going to handle this. In your face, stating her opinion, articulate, aggressive, well-meaning, extremely sincere, I have to tell you, April, if you are listening, I want to thank you for all of your loyalty, for all of your support over the last year and a half. I simply could not have got by without it.
Mr. Speaker, last but not least, if I may, Leslie Straker. Leslie has worked for me, this is a tough one. I cannot put into words adequately, my gratitude to Leslie Straker. She is kind of like a little sister to me. She was there when I needed her, she took care of me when I was personally in trouble, she helped me out professionally. She is just a very warm human being. I hope she will forgive me today for being so public about the way I feel about her. Leslie, thank you for your loyalty and support, both professionally and personally over the last seven years. I simply could not have got by without you. Thank you.
--Applause
Mr. Speaker, in June of this year, I made an announcement for the benefit of my loyal constituents, advising them that I did not intend to run for office in the upcoming election for the Government of Nunavut. I would, now, like to address the rumours that I may run in Yellowknife in October of next year. It is true that many people have approached me about the possibility of running. It is also true that I have given a great deal of thought to doing so.
Like many people, I am excited about the potential in the west, about the unique opportunity which the people in the west have to redefine the structure of governance and the incredible economic potential of this territory. After much consideration, Mr. Speaker, and thanks to those who have offered me their support, I can state, without hesitation, that I have decided not to run for election in Yellowknife this fall. There are many factors that have gone into this decision but, the most important, Mr. Speaker, is that I feel I no longer have the passion that is required to do the job any more.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank you today for bearing with me, I would like to thank the many people from across the Northwest Territories, from this House, from my constituency, for the advice and support they have given me over the years. All good things that have been accomplished over the years can be attributed to them, the failures to me. In closing, Mr. Speaker, in the words of Bertrand Russell, there are no ends, Mr. Speaker, just beginnings.
--Applause
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.