Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, true democracy received another shot in the arm this past weekend. A former Coca-Cola executive became the president of Mexico following the recent elections. Mr. Speaker, this means Mexico, for the first time, had a truly free-voting electorate in 71 years.

It is like when the walls of East Berlin came crashing down. This was done in Mexico with masses chanting, "We can make change happen!" The free world and Mexicans alike are celebrating the liberation of the people of Mexico. Hopefully, the fallout will spur their economy with much-needed new investment.

Anyone who knows individuals who have fought for democracy will understand the depth of this achievement, and any individual who has lived under oppressive regimes will understand what this could mean to Mexicans' daily lives.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories should follow the example of their self-determination. What we need here in the Northwest Territories, in partnership with aboriginal governments, is provincial-type authority to run our own affairs. While we have democracy, we do not have the political authority or financial backing to carry out our political will.

Mr. Speaker, the federal government is withholding the gavel and financial resources from us. Until we organize ourselves in the North, it will continue to do so. Mr. Speaker, we too should demolish our Berlin Wall and get provincial-type responsibilities and the financial resources necessary to run this territory as it should be.

I congratulate the Mexican people on their victory. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause