Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There's absolutely no question that devolution and its implementation is one of the most important political developments in the history of the NWT. I believe that all residents should be able to be a part of it. We have yet to see any consultation and public engagement plan, as mentioned by Mr. Bromley. As the expression goes, talk is cheap and that's all we have at the moment. I find that it's not a surprise and it's no wonder that people are skeptical about their ability to have input into this Final Devolution Agreement and implementation.
As I said in my statement in the House yesterday, not only do our residents need to understand the Devolution Final Agreement, but they need and want to understand how things will work in a post-devolution NWT. How the agreement will be implemented must be discussed with the general public, and the general public must have an opportunity for input. A plebiscite is an opportunity for education and creation of awareness, to provide for an indication of support for the deal from our residents. I would think that the Premier would want to get that concrete validation of his efforts, a positive sign that the NWT believes, as he does, that this devolution deal is good for our territory.
The Premier has stated several times that the Devolution Agreement is a done deal. Holding a plebiscite, if the Premier were to agree, would contradict current public opinion that the upcoming public engagement and consultation is meaningless and a waste of time and money.
I feel very strongly that the Devolution Agreement requires a full public discussion. There needs to be a full analysis of the impacts of the agreement. We need assurances and guarantees from our government that the funds to come from the federal government will be used for the same purposes that they are now, and we have heard none of that. A plebiscite will allow for that, for full disclosure and full dialogue.
People are telling me that they don't know enough about devolution. They don't know enough about the agreement, they don't know enough about its implementation and the impacts that it will have upon them as a resident. This issue concerns everyone, and all residents should have a chance to express their view on this issue. As stated in an e-mail that I received today, and I imagine other Members did as well, “If there ever was a question that needed the input from residents, this is it.” That's in reference to the question on devolution.
As mentioned by Mr. Bromley, we must consider that about 50 percent of NWT residents work for some order of government: the territorial government, municipal governments, Aboriginal governments, and the federal government. They need to know how implementation of this agreement will affect them and their families. They need to know what changes will result from the Devolution Agreement to their workplace and their community. The plebiscite will provide the opportunity for that discourse to occur for 50 percent of our residents to fully understand how the proposed changes will affect them.
We have to consider students and other NWT residents who are temporarily not resident in our territory. They also should have a say on this important issue.
In conclusion, a plebiscite is not binding, as stated by Mr. Bromley, but it will provide the Premier and Cabinet with a wealth of information about the mindset of our residents. It will garner serious brownie points for the Premier in his relationship with the NWT public if he agrees with this motion.
I don't understand why Members are so resistant to this plebiscite, to a process and activity that will involve our residents in a truly significant event in their lives. If we are the democratic society that we say we are, then Members will vote to support this motion. A plebiscite is democracy in action.
Lastly, I must post a recent Twitter question for people to mull over: “What's the downside of a plebiscite? If it's worth having it,” - meaning the Devolution Agreement - “it should be worth engaging and defending it with the public.”