Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to thank the mover and seconder for this motion. I think this is a large issue. It’s been debated throughout the country and it’s sitting in front of our Legislative Assembly here now as a federal political issue.

Over the last few months, I’ve been asked several times where I stand on the issue, often being asked what my colour is, what party do I support in this issue. It is a federal issue, I do believe. The politics are difficult in the Northwest Territories when we are dependent on the federal government for our funding, for our infrastructure money, our borrowing limit and any discussions we have concerning money. So the keepers of our coffers are the ones

that are controlling this initiative, and I understand this motion is weighing us against some of our values, some of our issues about the land, the water and the uses of that. So I’m feeling a little bit torn about whether to support this motion.

Do I feel this would be an effective way to get to the federal government? Is this going to be an effective way to get our message out that we have concerns with the land? My concerns are the fact that these bills are passed. They are done with the federal government, and us making noise at the territorial level here will only make ripples to our people, our areas of concern, our funding, our infrastructure dollars.

A few months ago, when we were discussing this issue, I was definitely against it, discussing federal issues in the territorial Legislative Assembly here. I have lots of difficulty with the federal government implementing ombudsman’s bills and bills that don’t allow the public into the issues, for them to use their majority government to do what they will without public consultation, without Aboriginal group participation. I understand Idle No More. I attended some of their events and I appreciate some of the comments those people have been working on.

I also have an issue with this week’s discussion in the news about the cutting of the Mackenzie Valley Review Board in half. I am a pro-development guy with responsible development, Mr. Speaker. My concern with that is, we have projects in the South Slave going forward right now, being reviewed right now. How is that to be done with half the manpower, half the workforce that the Mackenzie Valley has?

I have questions about the federal government. My concerns are pro and con on this issue. For that reason, I’m going to abstain from voting on this motion. I understand the mover’s and seconder’s passion for this and I understand there is a lot of passion out in our territory about this, but I think there are also some issues that we have politically. Aligning ourselves with the federal government, obviously they are the keepers of our funds, so I feel that this type of motion could be apprehensive for us, could be difficult for us in the future.

I recognize the mover’s and seconder’s valiant efforts, but I do recognize the need for regulation and reform. I also know that we’re being torn here. Those are my feelings on the issue, Mr. Speaker. When it comes to vote, I will be abstaining.