Thank you, Madam Chair. A couple points I want to make is in regards to a comment that was made to me last week in terms of the work that we do as MLAs and the amount of time that we sit in terms of going through the mountain loads of documents, the level of detail that we discuss and the amount of time that we spend away from our families, and the, at times, misconception by the public who don't have the benefit of being here day in and day out as we are elected to do and represent our people in our constituencies. One of the comments was made by a constituent who said I wish some people in our communities, in my communities, would come and sit and go with you throughout the day and see how many hours you put in in the House and the amount of work that you have to be up on and the type of work you have to deal with. I really think that's so important, Madam Chair.
I'm looking forward to the schedule of the Outreach Program that the Speaker has outlined. I'm glad that Whati was the first community, along with Member Lafferty, in terms of explaining it to the people, because
bringing the role of government to people, it really would help us in terms of some of the bigger issues that we have to deal with, some of the bigger issues that we have to deal with with the federal government, and the amount of work that we do as Members. I say this because of the sacrifice that all Members make, a personal sacrifice. However, that's the role that we chose. The role was chosen by us by our members who would like us to be here to represent them. So I really want to stress this initiative of how important it is now to undertake and to fully deal with. I certainly want to tell the Speaker that you certainly have my support in this area here. I think that's a good thing you have worked on and initiated, and talking about the role of the Assembly and even MLAs into our communities. I think it's a real good move here. I think we're cutting some new path here in terms of how the Assembly is getting back to the people in our community so that they understand our role. Sometimes it's good to have people really understand what we do as MLAs.
Also, Madam Chair, I want to look at the broadcasting solution that the staff has worked so hard on. It seems that we have some agreement that we'll do some testing in the coming years and coming months. In terms of what we're doing would be very beneficial to our people.
Madam Chair, just this afternoon the Member for Range Lake mentioned the importance of broadcasts in our communities. One of my constituency members saw her for the first time and said, ah, that's you, I see you, and I see you and him together. Not like that...
---Laughter
I mean in the House here. She was so happy, because she said I watch you guys at 12 o'clock at night. I watched what you guys are doing. This is an 81-year-old elder that watches us, and it's so important that they watch us. I think this is so cool that we're going to have our own broadcasting system. I think that's right on. So they are watching us and it's something that's important here.
Madam Chair, the last point I want to raise is following Mr. Ramsay's comments in terms of our research staff and the fairness of them being looked at in terms of the work they do for us. I've seen them work magic. I've seem them work tirelessly and I've seen them work to make us look good in front of the House here, in front of the speakers. They've done a wonderful job and I can't say enough about them, and I think they should be compensated for what they're worth. I think that should be something we look at seriously, because it's not fair.
I think, Madam Chair, the House in terms of this item here for the Legislative Assembly, it has done a lot of good for us. So I want to leave it at that and again say congratulations on these new initiatives that mean a lot for our people here, to the Speaker and to the Clerk. Mahsi, Madam Chair.