Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There was a time in the Northwest Territories, and across Canada, when communities were relatively self-sufficient and self-governing. One of the strongest trends in the 20th century was the increasing involvement of many levels of government in virtually every aspect of our daily lives. How did this happen?

One reason is that collectively we have chosen to organize ourselves in ways to improve the standards and conditions in which we live. Most of us now expect governments to deliver a broad range of important programs and services such as health, social services, education, transportation, housing and so on. If these roles and responsibilities are not carried out, we blame the government.

But who is the government? We are. In the Northwest Territories, with its small population and close-knit communities, the government is potentially every one of us, our friends and our neighbours. We, the residents of the Northwest Territories, make up all northern governments, whether it is the territorial government, the band councils, the aboriginal councils, the land claim institutions, the community governments, or the regional boards and agencies.

How can you help? In delivering this report, we want to encourage an ongoing dialogue or conversation about how we can work together to make the NWT a better home for all residents. Most of us think we would do things differently if we were in charge -- if we were the government. What would you change and what would you want to stay the same?

Imagine you have the opportunity and responsibility to make such choices -- because in fact you do. This is what self-government involves, for all of us. Self-government agreements will place the emphasis back on the communities and the people. The futures of all NWT communities will be linked together even more closely than they are today. The new relationships that will develop among our northern governments will depend on our attitudes, and our relationships with each other.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to hand the continuing report on with Mr. Lafferty. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.