Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are all politicians here, and I think that we understand that this august House is also a theatre, where the public and other members are the audience. The Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes made the point very well, earlier this afternoon.
Mr. Speaker, like the theatre, not everything that happens here is straightforward and sometimes, without context, people might be left wondering what is really going on. Our process here doesn't always lead to opportunities to respond and provide that balance. For instance, Ministers aren't able to jump up and respond to Members' statements, or in oral questions, your time is limited and you must be respectful of people who aren't here and are unable to defend themselves. It doesn't always lead to a good understanding of what we are actually doing here.
I would like to take this opportunity today, Mr. Speaker, to address a few issues. This week, Mr. Speaker, Ms. Lee has continually questioned me over the impending closure of one day care in the Northwest Territories; she has been very aggressive in her questions. In many cases, for me to provide direct answers, would have required me to get into a level of detail that I don't think would be fair in this very public forum.
As you, Mr. Speaker, and previous Speakers, have ruled, we should be very careful about referring to individuals in this forum, and I take the position that we should have similar respect for small non-profits, where all involved can be easily identified. I, therefore, felt somewhat constrained in responding to this issue. I have tried to take a broad view, agreeing that we need to improve our system and be fair to all operators.
Mr. Speaker, balance would be nice in how our responses are measured. On October 18th, Ms. Lee asked the Premier about the possible closure of the day care, and he responded, and I quote from Hansard on October 18, 2005: