Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak to my absence from the House on Monday and Tuesday of this week, especially to the outcome of the non-confidence vote based on the committee recommendations of the Premier, Mr. Speaker.
Late Friday afternoon I received a call from Minister Antoine, requesting my assistance. That he knew my position on the committee recommendation and he had his own position of support. We agreed that the Kyoto agreement is a very important issue to Canada and the people of the Northwest Territories.
In the spirit of consensus government and responsible government, I agreed to accompany Mr. Antoine to attend the Energy and Environment Ministers on the Kyoto Accord in Halifax, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I sent out a press release supporting the committee recommendation and reiterating that my confidence in the Premier was shaken to the core and I stand by that position today. The outcome of the vote gives me concern on how this government looks to the people of the Northwest Territories and Canada. That position has not changed, Mr. Speaker. If I was here, Mr. Speaker, the vote would have been 11 to six and the Minister would not have participated in the Kyoto Conference and our position would not have been represented in Halifax towards the finalization of the Kyoto accord, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I had an opportunity to listen to some of the debate. It gives me great concern that Cabinet would vote as a bloc on such an important issue. Members on this side of the House voted...