The Speaker David Krutko

I wish to inform the House that I received the following message from Her Honour, the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories: "Dear Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise and recommend to the Legislative Assembly the passage of Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2003-2004 during the First Session of the 15th Legislative Assembly. Yours truly, Glenna Hansen, Commissioner."

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Premier Handley.

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have an emergency statement.

This morning in Ottawa, the Honourable Paul Martin officially took the reins as the 21st Prime Minister of Canada.

On behalf of the 15th Legislative Assembly and the people of the Northwest Territories, I would like to publicly congratulate the Prime Minister as he assumes his new responsibilities.

With the appointment of his new Cabinet this morning, Prime Minister Martin has provided a new outlook and fresh approach that I believe will be reflected in a new and vibrant relationship between the Northwest Territories and Ottawa.

I was pleased to receive a call from Mr. Martin immediately following my acclamation on Wednesday as Premier of the Northwest Territories. Our discussion was very positive and I am greatly impressed by the understanding and enthusiasm he has shown regarding our issues. I am looking forward to working with him and his new Cabinet to get things done.

Mr. Speaker, I would also, at this time, like to congratulate the Member of Parliament for the Western Arctic, Ethel Blondin-Andrew, who has been reappointed to the federal Cabinet as Minister of State for Children and Youth.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has always been well supported and encouraged by the work that Ms. Blondin-Andrew has performed on our behalf.

It is appropriate in this time of change and new beginnings that her portfolio of Children and Youth remains the same. The young people of the Northwest Territories are and will be our most precious resource and the foundation of our future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker David Krutko

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, since the makeup of the Cabinet has been announced, I have been getting calls from the media and the public with the concern that there are no women on this Cabinet and that's the issue that I wish to speak about today.

Mr. Speaker, first off, I want to state categorically that I support Premier Handley and his Cabinet 100 percent. I believe this is a very good team and I know they will work very hard to advance the interest of the people we are all here to serve. I wish in particular to express my full support to Yellowknife Ministers Mr. Bell and Mr. Dent. While very young in age, no one who comes into contact with Mr. Bell is left unimpressed by his intelligence and his ability to analyze and communicate issues. I also know that this Cabinet and government will benefit greatly from the steady and calm leadership based on strong work ethics that Mr. Dent has to offer. I have benefited greatly from working with them both as regular YK MLAs and I would look forward to working with them in future.

Mr. Speaker, what should be noted in this House, however, is the fact that we are now the owner of the only Cabinet in Canada without women representation. We are also a legislature with a little over 10 percent women representation. Given that 50 percent of our population are women, this should cause us alarm. It should also be strongly noted that we have no aboriginal women representation in this House and we have the power and duty to change this situation.

Mr. Speaker, I am fully aware that I am not here as an MLA for women. I am here as the MLA for Range Lake, but by virtue of being a woman and a visible minority, I feel I have the obligation to speak on their behalf. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I come upon this legislature, this Cabinet, and all aboriginal governments to step up to the plate and take strong measures to improve this situation. Any common sense will tell you that this inequality does not happen by chance or accident. It is because there are structural and attitudinal barriers that ensures status quo. It is because there is unwillingness to share real power among all of us who make up our population.

Mr. Speaker, long gone are days when we expect the non-aboriginal people to speak for aboriginal people in this House, no matter how well intentioned or well qualified they are. The same principle must apply to the principle of gender equality. Mr. Speaker, may I seek unanimous consent to complete my statement?

The Speaker David Krutko

The Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? No, there aren't. Ms. Lee, you have unanimous consent to conclude your statement.

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, in the coming days and months, the Premier, Cabinet and this legislature will be making important choices about who will not only do the important jobs, but who will be the face of this government. I want to put them all on notice that I expect to see the face reflect equal representation of everyone in this vast land. I would insist that we see an increased number of women and aboriginal peoples in the senior management of our government and on important boards, not just as advisors to men and non-aboriginal people, but as equal players with equal power.

I know, Mr. Speaker, that everyone here believes the constitutionally guaranteed principle of equality and I look forward to seeing us making a huge stride in that regard. I would also challenge the public, aboriginal governments and organizations committed to the principle of equality to take on this task and to work to change the status quo. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker David Krutko

Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Mr. Speaker, it's a pleasure to see in our midst again our former colleague and Speaker, Mr. Tony Whitford. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker David Krutko

Welcome, Mr. Whitford. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to recognize my sister Elizabeth Hardisty in the gallery.

---Applause

The Speaker David Krutko

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, petitions. Item 10, reports of standing and special committees. Item 11, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 12, tabling of documents. Item 13, notices of motion. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, December 15, 2003, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for North Slave, that the following Members be appointed to the Board of Management of this Assembly: The Honourable David Krutko, Member for Mackenzie Delta; the Honourable Brendan Bell, Member for Yellowknife South; Mr. David Ramsay, Member for Kam Lake; Mr. Kevin Menicoche, Member for Nahendeh; and, Mr. Calvin Pokiak, Member for Nunakput;

And further, that the following Members be appointed to the Board of Management as alternative Members: the Honourable Charles Dent, Member for Frame Lake; Ms. Sandy Lee, Member for Range Lake; Mr. Robert Villeneuve, Member for Tu Nedhe.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will seek unanimous consent to deal to this motion today.

The Speaker David Krutko

Item 13, notices of motion. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.