Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I would like to see the conclusion of land claims and self-government discussions as soon as possible. However, there are three different players at the table. The Government of the Northwest Territories seems to be the bad guy all the time. We are accused of being slow at the table and so forth but in some cases that is not the case.
Other players should take responsibility, because there are different factors at each negotiating table. Sometimes one group may have a problem with a certain negotiating item and may have to take it back and have it checked. The federal government does it all the time. They come to an area, especially in financing and taxation, they have to check with Ottawa, with the different departments out there, with Justice and Finance and the Prime Minister's office.
It is the same thing with us here. When our negotiators are at the table, talking about different items, they cannot go there and go as fast as they can just to get it over with. They have to make sure that whatever arrangements we make there, they want to make sure that they are workable and affordable. The role we play at the table is to make sure that is done.
We see other claims in other jurisdictions where arrangements are made and we find out sure it is a good agreement, however, there is no money, or no way of funding the arrangement. We want to make sure that does not happen here. Therefore, it takes some time. In many cases, especially in self-government negotiations, we are breaking trail, setting precedent.
It has not been done in any other place in Canada. We have to make sure that if we do it, that it is done in a way where it is affordable. In addition, the quality of programs and services to everybody in the North does not diminish because of these different arrangements. We all agreed on it. We have a document, numerous documents that are produced through this Legislative Assembly and through government. The Agenda for a New North and even the new vision that we are all working on, says that. We want a good level of programs and services for everyone in the North. If we are going to do that, then we have to make sure that the arrangements that we have at the negotiating tables are done right.
Certainly I would like to see a speedy process. I think that once the self-government arrangements and land claims are completed by all of the groups in the North, that the economy would pick up, and we may have a better time to grab control of our resources. The whole area of land claims and self -government arrangements is very crucial for the future for all of us here in the Northwest Territories.
In order to get it done, we have to make sure it is done right. The process that we have in place may seem to be cumbersome, but it has the checks and balances in there to make sure that we have a good arrangement. We are open to suggestion and we are flexible. Perhaps there is a speedier process that could be implemented, and we certainly would like to take a look at it. It is early in the life of this Legislative Assembly. It certainly is a concern that I heard during the last election, which it is something that we all have to work on. Thank you.