Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a Member of the 13th Assembly, I have seen many things change. The biggest change I have seen is us going from spending to reductions. We have also seen the continuation of control being shifted from headquarters to the regions.
We have spoken about improving the lives of all northerners and this, Mr. Speaker, is where I believe we need to focus, or should I say refocus. Past governments have tried to help northerners by providing a level of social programs comparable to our southern counterparts. Mr. Speaker, healthy communities start with healthy families. Healthy families need parents to be positive role models. Part of being a positive role model is to instill in our children good work habits. This, Mr. Speaker, cannot be done without employment.
Mr. Speaker, jobs are what the people of the Northwest Territories need. This is where we need to start focusing or refocusing. If we are to reduce the dependency on government social programs, we, as a government, need job strategies, not just year-to-year strategies, but long-term job strategies. Mr. Speaker, if we are going to set these examples, we need to start focusing long term. We need to put people into jobs that they can show their children they can be positive role models. Instead of going to the income support office, they will be going to their work office and picking up a real pay cheque. If we are going to make a difference, we need to start focusing on long-term commitments of this government.
Mr. Speaker, we have heard many a time how we can do this and I will bring it up one more time, roads, Mr. Speaker. We need to focus on roads, not just the one community or one area, but the whole of the Western Territory and the eastern if they would like to consider that. Long-term job strategies, Mr. Speaker, we need to start focusing on that. Thank you.
--Applause.