Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My question is similar to Mr. McLeod's question about process and why is it taking so long. Why is it so convoluted and complicated? There are so many different levels of bureaucracy that you have to go through now, just to get a decision made at the negotiating table. I, for one, have had the experience of being involved in many negotiation processes, from the Dene, Metis, the Gwich'in, the Sahtu.
Those processes certainly were not as complicated as they are today. Every time we wanted to negotiate a position or come to an agreement, it was usually done at the table. It seems now, because of the involvement of all the different departments, you are talking about Justice, you are talking about Municipal and Community Affairs, you are talking about Health and Social Services, I, for one, think that that may be causing a slow down in the whole negotiation process in the Northwest Territories.
I am wondering if the Minister has thought about or taken that into account. Is there a way to give the ability to the people at the negotiating table and try to streamline the decision-making process? I have heard this from the Dogrib, from the Gwich'in. Negotiation is a two-way street. You put a position forth, somebody else puts a different position and you try to meet in the middle. It seems like in the Gwich'in self-government process, they suggest things, but are always turned away. It seems like this government is the one that is holding them up to come up with new ideas and they want to keep the common process of governance in the Northwest Territories.
My personal view of governance in Northwest Territories is that it does not work. If it were working, we would not have the deficit situation we have. We would not have the social problems we have and something has to change. I would like to ask the Ministers what is each department doing to ensure that these negotiations are concluded in a fast pace? In addition, do the negotiators have the flexibility to make decisions at the table without having to come back every time they have to get an answer? Thank you.