Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, we have heard much of accountability in this Legislative Assembly, and it started right from day one, as 14th Assembly Members came together and spoke of what their goals were and aspirations. I guess with some concern, I raise this and I hear the Premier when he spoke and answered in some response about trying to be more positive and work together. I agree we cannot always be negative and looking for the bad things. However, a couple of the responses I have heard today are concerning me.
One, the Premier just stated accountability, and this is the way I look at it. Accountability comes once every four years. And he enjoys that, he said. It seems that is the way things are being pushed to go to the Caucus route, where there are in-camera meetings where no one can be held accountable for what is being said or what is being planned. Public accountability for each Member does come once every four years, Mr. Chairman, but public accountability also comes through this forum, this Legislative Assembly.
Through questions and answers, through motions put through the House to try and achieve something. Yes, we need to talk in Caucus to suggest some ideas and so on, but I think unless we are going to open that forum up to the public, then we need to focus on what work is being done through this forum.
Mr. Chairman, the Premier made much about being principled and I pulled this out from his speech to Members when he was running for the position of Premier:
"These are the kinds of people I want to see on cabinet. Strong people, people that do not owe anybody anything out there. People that are not going to be patronizing friends. People who are going to work for the interest of everyone, who will be committed to being accountable and being strong Members of a team."
As well, Mr. Chairman, the closing speech says:
"I want to work so that we have a good future. We do that through making sure this government is a good government. We make sure this government is accountable."
Mr. Chairman, that raises concern. Because there are a number of things that happened, and I have tried to take a balanced approach of not being overly negative, but at the same time, as the Premier had asked, sometimes we need to pat Cabinet on the back. I said I would gladly do that when we have something to go with. I think Members have pointed out some of the good work that has been done to date. One of the principles of a democracy is the fact that we have a forum to discuss things, put things to those who put their names forward to the high office of Cabinet. However, what I hear here today is concerning the Premier of the Northwest Territories suggesting that accountability comes once every four years. He talked about being principled and about patronizing.
I was going to save this question until later, but I feel now is the time to address it, since we are talking about these issues. The Premier previously had an executive assistant. Now that person has moved up to the chief of staff. If that does not go in the area of patronizing, I do not know what is.
I want to work for the benefit of the people of the Northwest Territories. I believe that is what the Premier wants to do as well. I believe that is what all Members want to do. It is time to put it clearly, this is the only forum that I am aware of, besides committee systems, which from time to time are bringing in the public for public review of what is being put forward in bills and legislation, not to go behind closed doors and discuss the issues of the Northwest Territories and the large issues that are before us like self-government.
The area of a Public Service Commission, affirmative action, those are working documents that we need to give to the staff to give them direction. So, Mr. Chairman, for the record, I would like the Premier to state what his definition of accountability is. Thank you.