Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the mover and the seconder for presenting this motion to the floor of the House. Mr. Speaker, I will not support this motion. As a Regular MLA, I try my best to work with everyone. Right now, we are being led by the Premier, Cabinet, and Ministers, who make decisions for all residents of the Northwest Territories. I understand as Regular MLAs along with Cabinet, we are the principals for driving this negotiation process, and periodically we hear from the negotiators in terms of representing the union and the GNWT. That is the negotiation process that we have seen thus far.
As I understand it, the GNWT is a system of people, policies, procedures, and fiscal resources. In considering the operations of this government, once in a while we come across issues, whether it be fiscal, whether it be policies or procedures, and sometimes people who want their concerns to be addressed. What we are seeing now is part of that process, that people want better wages, better benefits, and better hope for their futures in terms of working in the Northwest Territories.
However, the two parties have determined a collective bargaining process, and they are involved with that process and they agreed to that process. This motion is essentially asking us to intervene, to take a side, and to see an arbitration process kick in. Of course, we are all experiencing the pressure from all sides, but, for me, what is critical is the timing of this motion. At this point, you know, we are poised to see the mediation process perhaps in the final stages, and there could be an attempt to try to mediate an agreement. There is a process in place for negotiations. There are negotiations that have been going on for some time, and we are at the mediation stage. You know, I would like to strongly encourage both parties to come to an agreement and to ensure that an agreement will give assurance to everyone that everyone is a winner. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.