Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to go on the record and applaud Cabinet and the Minister responsible for implementing the policy on traditional knowledge announced last week. This policy goes a long way in acknowledging that aboriginal peoples of the Northwest Territories have acquired a vast store of traditional knowledge through their experiences of centuries of living in close harmony with the land. Utilizing this knowledge is important in designing and implementing policies and procedures and the development of legislation within the Northwest Territories. Once again, I’d like to thank Cabinet for taking this important step.

Now, I’d like this government to take the next step and implement a similar policy on gender-based analysis. Similar to traditional knowledge, implementation of a gender-based analysis policy makes good sense. A policy on gender-based analysis will put people at the heart of policy development. It leads to better government by involving both women and men and makes full use of human resources.

Gender-based analysis makes gender equality issues visible in the mainstream of society, taking into account the full diversity of men and women. This type of analysis contributes to the resolution of past systemic discrimination and contributes to a more efficient policy.

In addition, gender-based analysis responds to the provisions in legal documents, such as the Canadian Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, the Federal Plan for Gender Equality, the Canadian Human Rights Act, and various international obligations and commitments. In short, it is a tool that will help GNWT develop more appropriate and relevant as well as socially and culturally aware programs, policies and legislation.

As a government, we must commit to move forward and implement gender-based analysis into our day-to-day operations. Let’s take the next step like Cabinet did with the implementation of the Traditional Knowledge Policy. There are already

organizations in the NWT working on gender-based analysis. I encourage Cabinet to have their staff work with organizations such as the Status of Women Council of the NWT to develop and implement the policy and arrange for appropriate training of GNWT staff on the use of gender-based analysis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the appropriate time, I will have some questions for the Premier.