Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the mover and seconder of the motion with regard to their dissatisfaction with regulatory reform, Bill C-38 and Bill C-45. They would make some change to our regulatory regime that affects us here in the Northwest Territories.

I just want to advise the public, I know that huge Idle No More movement throughout the Northwest Territories, we’re really proud that people are taking this initiative, being more aware of politics federally and territorially. But, as well, I just want to advise them that these bills have already been passed, so these changes are coming. The recommendations in the motion are to assess what impacts they will have on our northern territory. So I think that’s where we’re going. I’m not really comfortable with the tone of the motion, where we were saying the federal government is bad, kind of thing.

But at the same time, yes, they have a majority government, but I think it’s an awareness thing. Even though they are a majority government, they still have to pursue more and fuller consultation than they have. I’ve spoken with my Cabinet colleagues and the federal government has spoken to some of our Ministers, but with our consensus-style government, we often do lots of consultations with the communities, in the smaller communities, showing them the bills we are changing, bills we want to enact. We have a very strong consultation process with our consensus-style government, but federally we don’t see that. I have issues with that and I hope some of their parliamentary practices can change. Just because they are a majority government doesn’t mean they don’t have to consult people. But they do some types of consultation, but based on our standards, we feel it’s not enough and I feel it’s not enough as well.

I just want to commend constituents in my riding who got active in the Idle No More movement, especially the youth who got organized in my community of Fort Simpson. They are concerned about land and water, and the future as well.

I had spoken to them and I had said these bills have already passed, but we have to use momentum. The Idle No More movement, I believe, if it continues is when there’s a vote on it in 2015 when there’s a federal election and also our own GNWT elections then. That’s the time the movement can really make an impact. Right now, it’s kind of dealing on past bills that have been passed. We may have some say, hopefully, as we do the regulations and guidelines for some of the bills that have changed or been deleted. In that sense, we can move forward in working with the federal government.

Once again, I support the frustration of my constituents and the youth who have shown and had their own protest to express their concern. At the same time, I always felt that the Idle No More was kind of one-sided in the media. I really don’t believe it’s sweeping away all regulatory guidelines. There’s still other legislation that protects the small streams, the small rivers, industry developing on our land. Gone are the days of rape and pillage of our land, Mr. Speaker. There’s lots of legislation out

there. Some of the legislation was about getting rid of an act that’s over 120 years old. I can see the value in that, but nobody is speaking about the current legislation that’s there protecting our lands and resources, and there’s lots of strong ones. Our own government has lots of good, strong legislation that protects against that.

However, I do believe the spirit and intent of the motion there. Just with that alone, like I said, I disagree with some of the strong statements like the big bad federal government, but I am with the intent of the motion that Northerners should have a voice with any changes that impact our North, so with that, I will be voting in favour of the motion. Thank you very much.