This is page numbers 545 - 573 of the Hansard for the 15th Assembly, 6th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was assembly.

Topics

Reflections On The 15th Assembly
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 549

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm going to use my last Member's statement of this 15th Assembly to reflect on my just over two and a half years here. It has been a privilege, and I mean that sincerely, to serve the people of Inuvik Twin Lakes. I look forward to the opportunity to reaffirm their confidence in me and come back and do some more battle in the 16th.

I thoroughly enjoyed working with my colleagues on this side of the House, especially those in Social Programs. We had many discussions; we had differences of opinion; but you always acted in the best interests of your constituents and I respect you a lot for that.

Mr. Bell, Mr. Dent, Mr. Handley, you're all leaving this Assembly and I wish you well in your future plans. We've had some agreements; I've agreed with a lot of things you've said. There are some things that you've said that I haven't agreed with and I wanted to agree with you, but then that would have made us both wrong, so I didn't.

---Laughter

I've enjoyed sitting here next to my colleague Mr. Hawkins. It's been an interesting two and a half years, Robert.

To Mr. Braden, our elder on this side of the House, I counted on Mr. Braden a lot for advice and he'd always lean over and tell me what we were doing, so I appreciate that.

---Laughter

I believed him for the first week; after that, I was on my own.

We have a job to do here -- it's not a job, it's something that we chose to do -- and that's almost impossible to do without the support of people that put you here, people that work to get you here. Then once you get in here, Mr. Mercer and his staff really put you to work. I remember my first couple of days here where I went to torture room B and had my own private orientation.

---Laughter

Also without the support of your family, it's almost impossible to do what we do. My wife is up in the gallery there and we've been married for 28 years now and she's

had to make a bit of sacrifice for me being gone all the time; at least I hope it was a sacrifice.

---Laughter

So to all my colleagues in here, I wish you all well in whatever you decide to do. To those that are running for re-election, I wish you well and the best of luck. I pray things work out well for everyone in here. Thank you.

---Applause

Reflections On The 15th Assembly
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty.

Accountability And Transparency
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 550

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty North Slave

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today is our last meeting. I would like to make a statement. Ever since our last election, we've travelled into various communities, we spoke to elders, youth and community members. We tried our best to work for our people. We have a lot of different jurisdictions in Canada but here in the Northwest Territories, we have different jurisdictions. I wish the best for everyone in this next Assembly. We have to work well together in order to go forward. These are the messages that our communities give us. (Translation ends)

...day of our session. I would like to leave a statement for those who will be returning to the 16th Assembly and carry it forward.

Mr. Speaker, throughout our journey to various communities as MLAs, we were told, over and over, to be accountable to the people that we represent and serve. We are quite unique here in the North compared to other jurisdictions throughout Canada and other parts of the country. We need to be out there simply to listen to the voices of the North. Mr. Speaker, another point that they share with us is simply being transparent, being open. One hand needs to know what the other hand is doing or thinking. So they could either work with it or support such initiatives.

Mr. Speaker, what we witnessed here in this House yesterday on the Deh Cho Bridge is a fine example that would have been smooth sailing if the committee members had the detailed information in advance. Mr. Speaker, on the other hand, when we get together and communicate with each other, our committee members and local governments such as Gameti School, we can accomplish positive results and good relations that will serve us well into the future. Mr. Speaker, I certainly hope that this is a lesson to learn from for the new government and Members of the 16th Assembly. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Accountability And Transparency
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 550

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Villeneuve.

Appreciation And Best Wishes
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 550

Robert Villeneuve

Robert Villeneuve Tu Nedhe

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I'd just like to use my last Member's statement here today to express my gratitude and appreciation to the many people I've worked with here during my tenure here in the 15th Assembly. Firstly, I'd like to thank my constituents of Tu Nedhe for electing me in 2003-2004 to undertake the very important and challenging task of representing their interests in this unique system of consensus government we have here in the NWT. Secondly, thank you to all of my colleagues here in this House for all of the wonderful experiences and advice on leadership and politics that they have provided me over the last four years; some good and some not so good. Mr. Speaker, I have to point out that the level of respect and dignity that everyone shows to one another in this Assembly is second to none, and I appreciate everybody for that.

I have to also mention the excellent work and work ethic that the Legislative Assembly staff have continually upheld without reservation as we, as an Assembly, could not function without. Many thanks to them for that. I would also like to thank the support staff: the EAs, the CAs, and all the secretaries that have come and gone. Also, all the Members and Ministers for all their support, cooperation and the serious consideration that they provide to resolving the many concerns and issues that are brought to their attention by NWT residents through their MLAs.

Last but not least, Mr. Speaker, I really have to thank my family and the many friends for their continuous support and encouragement that they have shown me for the past four years. I am deeply indebted to them for that and for showing me how the love of a family member, a husband, wife or partner, or just a hug of a child, can make all of this politics seem so trivial, but at the same time so very important to everybody in our pursuit of happiness.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I'd like to wish Members who are not pursuing re-election all the best in whatever pursuits that they have and wish all the Members that are seeking re-election, like myself, good luck and I look forward to continue on working with you all in the next Assembly in this fast, exciting, growing economy here in the NWT that I always call home. Thank you.

---Applause

Appreciation And Best Wishes
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 550

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Members' statements. The honourable Member from Nunakput, Mr. Pokiak.

Reflections On The 15th Assembly
Item 3: Members' Statements

August 22nd, 2007

Page 550

Calvin Pokiak

Calvin Pokiak Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today is the last sitting day of the 15th Assembly, so I would like to reflect some thoughts over what transpired over the past three and a half years.

When I arrived for MLA for the Nunakput riding three and a half years ago, I did not discuss my candidacy with my wife, Lucille, or my two sons, Bertram and Darren, because it was a spur of the moment decision. To be honest, I did not expect to be elected and representing...

---Laughter

To be honest, I did not expect to be elected and represent my constituents when elected. Mr. Speaker, becoming an MLA and representing your constituents can be a difficult job because we know we can't solve all the problems of our constituents. We can only lobby the government and colleagues to listen to our issues and concerns during

business reviews and hope they will include your projects into some budget planning process.

Mr. Speaker, as an example, I lobbied very hard to my colleagues to have an RCMP presence in Sachs Harbour. Although it took three years, the Minister of Justice eventually included this project into the business plan.

Reflections On The 15th Assembly
Item 3: Members' Statements

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An Hon. Member

Hear! Hear!

---Applause

Reflections On The 15th Assembly
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Calvin Pokiak

Calvin Pokiak Nunakput

Two RCMP officers will be located in the office we'll be establishing in Sachs Harbour by 2008, although it's one year late.

I also lobbied very hard for the last three and a half years for an all-weather road between Tuk and Inuvik, but recently, over the past few months, to find $15 million over three years to construct the 22-kilometre access road from source 177 from Tuktoyaktuk just so that the community of Tuk can have year-round access to a gravel source. This morning, Mr. Speaker, I listened, with interest, when the deputy mayor of Tuktoyaktuk was interviewed by CBC and he is obviously very disappointed that this government could not commit any funding towards this project before dissolution of this government. The deputy mayor has spent a lot of time and effort in promoting the construction of the road. Having said that, Mr. Speaker, I hope that the Cabinet will make a strong recommendation to the 16th Assembly to add this as a high priority of the next government. Apparently, the Deh Cho Bridge at $150 million has precedence and we move forward because Cabinet considers this a national interest. Whose interest is it? Is it the Premier and Cabinet? This bridge, when built, will not serve the people.

Reflections On The 15th Assembly
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 551

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Okay, I have your time for Member's statement expired.

Reflections On The 15th Assembly
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 551

Calvin Pokiak

Calvin Pokiak Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, may I request unanimous consent to conclude my Member's statement? Thank you.

Reflections On The 15th Assembly
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 551

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Pokiak.

Reflections On The 15th Assembly
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 551

Calvin Pokiak

Calvin Pokiak Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues. Whose interest is it? Is it the Premier and Cabinet? This bridge, when built, will not serve the people in the Beaufort-Delta and the Sahtu regions. Once again we, in the Far North, are left out on major projects to connect us to the rest of Canada and we will continue to pay the high costs for fuel, oil and gas, et cetera.

Mr. Speaker, on other matters, I would like to thank Tim Mercer, Clerk of the Assembly, and his staff for all the support they gave me over the last three and a half years. To my honourable colleagues, it was a pleasure to meet, discuss, argue and eventually resolve issues through our committee deliberations.

Mr. Speaker, four Members have decided not to run in the upcoming 16th Assembly. To Premier Handley, Ministers Bell and Dent and our very own dean, Mr. Braden, it was a pleasure to know and work with you and I wish each of you well for whatever the future leads in your life.

To my wife, Lucille, sons, Bertram and Darren, my brother Charles Pokiak in Tuk, thank you for all the support you gave me over the last three and a half years. More importantly, Mr. Speaker, the communities of Tuktoyaktuk, Ulukhaktok, Paulatuk and Sachs Harbour. Thank you for having the confidence and electing me to the 15th Assembly to represent you. When I ran I said what is needed is you needed the confidence of your MLA to represent and speak on behalf of your interests and, more importantly, to keep in contact with constituents. I think I have accomplished that.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to make one last effort and try to convince the Cabinet to fund construction for an access road to source 177.

---Laughter

Will they make a commitment today to fund this project? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Laughter

---Applause

Reflections On The 15th Assembly
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Members' statements. The honourable Member from the Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Listening To The Voices Of The People
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 551

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, being the last day of our sitting of this Assembly, we've still got another week of work yet before the writ is dropped and the Ministers still have their caps on as Ministers until we get a new Cabinet sworn in in October. Mr. Speaker, I was thinking about things to say to the Ministers last night and I was tossing and turning. Gee, I had a hard time to sleep, tossing and turning about what to say to the Ministers.

---Laughter

So I go up and I read a book and, Mr. Speaker, in the book that I read there was a quote there by the author and the author said when you become a leader, you lose the right to think about yourself. I thought about that, what does the author say? I remember an elder in Tulita saying when you become an MLA, you speak for us. You use your talents, your gifts, your passion and you say things for us, not for yourself. If you say things for yourself, your words are weak; but if you say things for your people, your words are strong and can support you.

Listening To The Voices Of The People
Item 3: Members' Statements

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An Hon. Member

Hear! Hear!

Listening To The Voices Of The People
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

So the Ministers, they represent all of us in the Northwest Territories.

Listening To The Voices Of The People
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 551

An Hon. Member

Northwest Territories!

Listening To The Voices Of The People
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 551

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

You speak for us in terms of national, territorial issues that benefit all of the people in the Northwest Territories. I want to say that when this quote came up that it made so much sense.

As Ministers, I want to thank you on behalf of the people in the Sahtu for coming into my region for making some difference, making some impacts and having some sense of where the people in the Sahtu are coming from when

we come together in meetings, when you come to visit us at our homes. I know some Ministers came to some old people's homes and sat beside some old grannies or grandpas and sat and had tea with them and looked at them and talked with them, even had translators. The Minister, you know, this morning I went to see an uncle of mine in the hospital right now -- he's probably watching us -- and he said that the Minister made a good decision to support the moosehide tanning, he's supporting it. You don't know what type of decision you made for people in the Northwest Territories, for our culture.

Listening To The Voices Of The People
Item 3: Members' Statements

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An Hon. Member

Major.

Listening To The Voices Of The People
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

It's a major decision and it will pay off in the long run, Mr. Bell.

---Applause

I want to say that Mr. Roland...Mr. Speaker, I'd like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Listening To The Voices Of The People
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Yakeleya.

Listening To The Voices Of The People
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, honourable colleagues. I wanted to say to Minister Roland, Minister McLeod and Minister Krutko, and the other Ministers, you have made a difference in my people. I know there's some tough decisions and there's policies, but there's also heart. I wanted to thank you for looking in there and making those tough decisions sometimes. Our people really appreciate that.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I wanted to say to Mr. Handley, I really appreciated his statement yesterday saying I think we have to stop acting like little grandchildren of the Department of Indian Affairs and the federal government, and start being like a government and make our decisions. I think, Mr. Handley, that that's a voice that I've wanted to hear so long that we, as people of the Northwest Territories, have to stand up, like Mr. Miltenberger said, recognize that we are a government, we're up here and we're going to do things in the northern way, made in the Northwest Territories and stop getting treated like a little orphan of the federal government. We are people, we need to be free. Set our people free, Mr. Harper. Thank you.

---Laughter

---Applause

Listening To The Voices Of The People
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Member's statements. The honourable Member from Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

Appreciation And Best Wishes
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 552

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Obviously today is the last day we'll all be together as the 15th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, it's both a sad day, but also an exciting time for many of us as we head off, some seeking re-election, others seeking new pursuits in life, and I wanted to use my last statement in this House to say goodbye and to say good luck to all of my colleagues that are here today.

Mr. Speaker, I've learned something from each and every one of you over the past four years and I'll miss the team that we have assembled here today. Although, I doubt very much Cabinet is going to miss me as much as I will miss them, Mr. Speaker.

---Laughter

I hope to see many of you back here in six weeks to carry on the important work of the Government of the Northwest Territories and it's been an honour and a privilege to serve with each and every one of you.

I want to again thank my constituents for all of their support and encouragement over the past four years. Kam Lake is a riding that I thoroughly enjoyed representing. Kam Lake is undeniably the economic hub of our capital city, home to an industrial park, world-class dog mushers and sled dogs, two schools -- Ecole St. Joseph and N.J. MacPherson -- and, with the recently adjusted boundaries, the home to just over 2,700 people. It is a riding that I am going to again be seeking to be the MLA for in the upcoming election. I am very thankful for the opportunity the constituents of Kam Lake gave me four years ago, and I am looking forward to seeing and speaking with them in the very near future.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, this has the feeling today of being the last day of school. While it may seem like our last day of school, the real schools will be starting again soon in Yellowknife and in our communities. I want to wish all of our young people and the teachers heading back to school this fall a successful and enjoyable school year. Again, I want to wish everybody good luck and good bye, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

---Applause