Thank you. I am going to ask for a dictionary so I could give them something that is universally accepted as a definition of accountability. I think some Members are taking great fun in quoting me. That is accountability. The more I say, the more I am accountable for, which is right.
The Financial Administration Act and some of the policies and guidelines of government require us to be accountable, to sit here in standing committees and the committee of the whole to account for the money we have asked to get approved, so we could spend it.
Cabinet Ministers are accountable to Members of the Legislature and the public for how we spend the money. There is an element of time. We say we are going to do things in a certain timeframe. We are accountable for whether we meet that or not. Why are there construction delays and carry-overs from year to year? Because the system in place right now, for accountability. There is also accountability if you have ten things to do and you have only spent enough time to do one thing. You should be called to task for it. That is accountability as well. There is a limit to the amount of money you have and the time and so you need to measure how effective you really are.
You know, if the Legislature wants us to do 30 things and there is only enough time and money and resources to do ten things well, then we are accountable. Is doing ten of those things, the ten most important things and doing them well okay? Or are we to be turfed out because we did not do the other 20? I would say that is a question that would probably be decided later.
We know that, and I think the Member is inherently inclined towards being positive all the time, though he is critical. I would say it is difficult for him to be negative. Because I think part of being a leader and a representative of people is people have to expect you to feel positive. If it is raining, then you have to tell people you absolutely believe the sun is going to come out. They are not going to follow you, and they are not going to want to support you if you just keep saying everything is doom and gloom. If you have nothing positive to say, then people shun you. That is accountability.
You need to be accountable for the attitude that you carry and you project. Not only in this Legislature, but in the public, and in the way you conduct yourself. Being a team player, making sure that the interests of the Legislature are respected, as well playing your part. You know there is accountability in that.
The fact that Cabinet is expected to work as a team. I am sure everybody in the Legislature is expected to do the same. So being effective is difficult to measure. There is accountability for that as well. The ways in which we can be accountable, as asked for by the committee, will be worked on by this government. We will bring your suggestions forward to the discussion in Inuvik in September on accountability. Thank you.