One of the priorities set by all Members of the 18th Legislative Assembly is to improve governance through more accountability, transparency, and collaboration. The development of this government's mandate is the first step to achieving that priority and strengthening consensus government. For the first time in the NWT, we have tabled a proposed government mandate. The mandate explains how the government will advance the priorities established by all Members of the Assembly this past December. The mandate enhances accountability by producing clear commitments that elected representatives and the public can point to when asking questions of government Ministers. The government's proposed mandate enhances the transparency of the GNWT because elected representatives and the public can now better understand how the government gets from the Assembly's 25 priorities to a particular set of programs and services. Finally, development of the mandate has increased collaboration by creating a dialogue between all members about the best way to achieve our priorities. MLAs have helped Cabinet to focus, strengthen, and clarify our commitments. Overall, the mandate enhances accountability, transparency, and collaboration by having the debate about the mandate right here in public on the floor of the Legislative Assembly. Through the priority-setting process, all Members decided what was important to prioritize. Through this mandate, Cabinet is proposing how to accomplish those priorities in ways that are effective and affordable. The purpose of developing the mandate was to make strategic choices. All of us knew coming into this Assembly that our resources would be finite and that the economic climate would be difficult. The process of developing the mandate has allowed us as Members to have a conversation about what choices are most strategic and why, before we get into the business planning details of how much and how fast.
As a result of your feedback, we've added commitments to communicate to our residents the potential risks and benefits associated with various resource development options; strengthen our commitment to land use planning; expand pathways to graduation; acknowledge Housing First as a proven method to address homelessness; reflect the importance of the fishery to food security and our economy; prioritize mental health supports in schools; fully support the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; be clear about our commitments to resolving outstanding land, resource, and self-government agreements; work with the Government of Canada to reduce the cost of living by improving Nutrition North and lowering taxation; and advance the principles of open government by making the GNWT a better government. This mandate is responsive to the majority of views expressed in Caucus. It commits us to a course that is ambitious, but within our means. I welcome discussion and debate on the proposed mandate before ultimately putting the mandate to a vote.