Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my comments today will be in regard to the economic strategies that the government of the NWT has undertaken. This summer we learned that the GNWT is undertaking the development of two economic strategies - one for the NWT in the west here and one for Nunavut. There is no question in my mind of the importance of strategizing our economic future. I have had concern expressed to me by several consultants and people in Yellowknife about the short time frame that the request for proposal was advertised.
In preparing a proposal for a $500,000 project usually requires a good deal of preparation time. I would say a normal minimum time for a project of this size would be about three weeks, but the government only allowed ten days. The question is why was such a short time frame given for submitting proposals for such a major project?
In addition to this question, I have my own concern with respect to our process of consulting MLAs in this matter. In a news release dated March 31st, Premier Morin announced plans to create an economic strategy and in that release he is quoted as saying: "I look forward to working with my cabinet colleagues and the standing committees of the Legislative Assembly to make sure this strategy moves forward in a coordinated manner..." The release concludes by saying that, "It is anticipated a preliminary schedule and framework outlining the strategy will be available for discussion at the next session of the Legislative Assembly", namely the May session. That preliminary schedule and framework was never made available at our May session, nor was our Standing Committee on Resource Management ever consulted.
This government proceeded without input from ordinary MLAs, I do not see where public consultation is taking place, nor that there is visible involvement by community or business groups in this strategy. What does that mean? Are we regurgitating government reports and working with the bureaucrats? I think it should be noted, not everyone is a happy camper here on the western front, nor perhaps on the eastern front in Nunavut, with this development. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause