Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the weekend I had a chance to be around town, out and about, talking to people in the city. I took the time to think about what transpired in this House last week. Mr. Speaker, more than once in my time here I have been unhappy with one or more Cabinet Ministers and the answers or responses they have given to me. There were times when I wanted to express my displeasure in no uncertain terms and Members here are aware that I can do that quite well.
As I have said many times in this House, I believe we ought to have very good, sound, public policy basis when we feel compelled to expel a Cabinet Minister, the entire Cabinet, or the Premier. In effect, change the government. This is really serious business.
Mr. Speaker, I believe our government operates in a very tightly woven, intricate, interdependent world. We have to and have built relationships with partners of all sorts. What goes on here matters to every resident in the Territories and the stability of this government has implications far away and beyond our territorial and jurisdictional borders.
Mr. Speaker, when I was travelling through the Sahtu before Christmas and the Premier happened to be with us, I witnessed first hand how much power and credibility this Premier has with the people from industry. I was surprised to learn that four pipeline industry executives flew, one from Texas, all the way to Norman Wells, from plus 40 degrees to minus 40 degrees to have dinner with the Premier to convince him of their position.
I thought about this. When he has to answer to his position as the Premier or to the confidence in his leadership every three months or so, what do these partners think about when they look at us? For example, the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs and the federal government who are in negotiation with the GNWT and aboriginal governments on the important issues of resource revenue sharing and devolution. What about De Beers negotiation with the GNWT on impact agreements? Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.