Mahsi, Madam Chair. Madam Chair...(English not provided)
Madam Chair, I'd just like to highlight what I've said in my own language, that with the report that came out in May and also just with the recent report from Mr. Pokiak, that there was a statement there that came away with one dominant message. Madam Chair, not all Members agreed at that time in the Lutselk'e meeting that there was one voice. Some Members disagreed with what took part there. So I would just like to highlight that as a clarification and the number of change from the recommendation itself as well. There was $600,000 and now it's $900,000.
Anyways, I'd like to touch on the Monfwi and Behchoko riding that we've been highlighting for quite some time now. This past spring, Madam Chair, the Electoral Boundaries Commission recommended that the current riding of Monfwi be divided in two ridings, Behchoko and Monfwi, which include Edzo, Whati, Gameti and Wekweeti. Behchoko will be a standalone. This commission made the recommendation based on the list of 12 criteria stipulated by the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act and I will touch on some of them.
Madam Chair, the community boundaries established on the lands, resources, self-government agreements, including land claims and treaty land entitlement agreements. Two, demographic factors, including the scarcity, density or related growth of population of any area. Three, patterns of transportation, the communication within and between the different areas. Four, language, cultural and other special community and diversity of interests of the residents of Northwest Territories. Madam Chair, the population of Monfwi puts it at plus 25 percent of average variation, a recommendation that came out of the Electoral Boundaries Commission, meaning that it is significantly under-represented. Behchoko has steadily increased in population over the past 10 years, Madam Chair. It is the largest aboriginal community in the Northwest Territories.
Madam Chair, Hay River, Inuvik and Dehcho all have two seats. Monfwi has the same or greater population. This precedent has already been set in this House. It only makes sense for Monfwi to have two seats as well. Madam Chair, it makes sense to divide Monfwi riding as recommended. Behchoko is on the highway system and has reasonable access to goods and services offered in Yellowknife. The outlying communities are accessible only by air or ice roads and, therefore, have limited access to these services. The concerns of each type of communities are different from each region. To ensure a fair and equitable representation to outlying communities, again it only makes sense to have our own riding, recognizing their uniqueness, demographic factors and the needs arising from these, Madam Chair.
The creation of the Tlicho Government has meant increased demands upon the MLA as a conduit between that level of government and territorial government demands another MLA in this region or NWT has yet to be faced. Because of the uniqueness in governance, Tlicho members living in Yellowknife who are recognized as a member of Tlicho by birthright, not because of where they chose to live, often call upon myself for assistance, Madam Chair. These Tlicho members often have concerns tied to their original communities. They should be considered part of the decision, but they are not, Madam Chair. The Tlicho people pride themselves on the fact that we are the largest aboriginal group in the Northwest Territories. We have worked hard to maintain our language and cultural traditions. This makes us unique from Yellowknife or other larger centres.
Some would recommend that we should keep the status quo. Madam Chair, if status quo means my region is significantly under-represented, status quo means outlying communities remain unrepresented and neglected. If I would argue with a stronger voice, smaller communities would have voted out, as an example, the $40 million courthouse for YK or other major projects in larger centres that I've encountered in the past. Instead, that money would have gone to the region as where our priority lies. How often do we have to be outvoted before we figure out that status quo only serves to keep our smaller communities marginalized and silenced, Madam Chair?
Dividing Monfwi into two ridings does not only benefit the Tlicho, it would serve the betterment of all small communities in the Northwest Territories. Madam Chair, if it takes my support for the Electoral Boundaries Commission's recommendation, then I will support it in order to get a seat for the Monfwi riding.
Madam Chair, I've had a teleconference today with my leadership just prior to noon and they're watching us and they're waiting patiently of the outcome of this session. Mahsi Cho.