Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Welcome back. Mr. Speaker, I represent two communities in my riding, Hay River and Enterprise. The community of Enterprise is a settlement, population 86, approximately 40 kilometres south of Hay River. Enterprise was incorporated as a settlement some ten years ago. Since that time, they have evolved to where they have such community infrastructure as a community hall, fire hall, volunteer fire department, three settlement employees and a budget of more than $250,000 annually. Like any evolving community, Enterprise has had its share of growing pains. Taking responsibility for programs and services through resources transferred by the GNWT is a significant undertaking.
In March of this year, partially due to a request from some community members and partly because it is MACA's responsibility, an inspection was conducted in Enterprise. Community leaders understood that operational deficiencies which might be identified would be addressed with the assistance and guidance of MACA employees. The people of Enterprise were shocked by the appointment of an administrator on April 7th. The Settlement Act does provide that the Minister may, by order, declare a settlement corporation to be under the control of a settlement administrator under a list of set conditions. The appointment of an administrator deems the elected council is retired.
The people of Enterprise feel that their democratic rights have been infringed upon and have raised numerous questions which they have asked me to pursue. Subsequent to the order to appoint a settlement administrator, community leaders met with the deputy minister in Enterprise. They were advised that the community inspection had revealed approximately 23 infractions of the Settlement Act. It was the position of the Minister and the department at that time that the precise nature of the infractions should not be disclosed because of the negative impact that it would have on the community. Most community members are of a different opinion. They feel that they have a right to know what the infractions were and this should be made public. They feel the Settlement Act should contain a provision for a formal intermediate process or a step for resolving operational problems.
I had a meeting with the residents of Enterprise one week ago. They asked me, as their elected representative, to convey their concerns over recent events in their community and I committed to do that. The five areas which summarize the concerns raised at the meeting are:
1. They would like answers to the letters and questions put to the Minister and the department subsequent to the order that was delivered.
2. They would like the report of the 25 infractions made public.
3. They would like the deficiencies in the Settlements Act for dealing with a situation like theirs to be brought up and be addressed.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.