Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think maybe we should all walk out of here, come back in, and start over.
---Laughter
Anyways, Mr. Speaker, this morning, as I sat in front of my computer thinking about my Member's statement for today, I reflected on a question recently posed by one of the media outlets. The question asked was: what are my priorities going into this session? I did not respond to the media. However, I will answer the question here.
Mr. Speaker, my priority has been, and will continue to be, the constituents of Hay River and those who reach out to me for support no matter what region they are from. The issue or issues each constituent brings to me is of importance to them; therefore, it is of importance to me. When I reach out to any one of you on the other side of this floor with a constituent issue, I would ask that you please take the issue seriously and, prior to your response, place yourself in their shoes.
When someone comes to me because they are about to be evicted from their home; find themselves homeless; have been on a housing waiting list for up to eight years and still holding out hope; cannot pay their rent or utilities; have no food for their children; being mistreated due to the colour of the skin; having their health issues dismissed by healthcare workers because of perceived notions; a P1 being overlooked for a job or promotion because management "does not want to see them fail," then find out it was filled with a P2, P3, someone's spouse or a friend from the South; employees crying because they are being bullied and harassed at work; losing contracts to southern firms because of a storefront office; losing a contract to a southern firm and hearing the standard government line that "we followed our policy and the process was fair" or your bid was "non-compliant;" receiving a Standing Offer Agreement and not receiving any work; contractors not being paid in the 20 and 30 days we established; these are only some of the real issues that matter to me.
We were elected to make a difference and solve issues that matter to our constituents. We need to start making change where it counts, and that change has to start at the grassroots level. I do not see that happening. Mr. Speaker, if we can improve the lives of our constituents and ensure our northern business are benefitting from government contracts and resource development, only then can we say we are doing what we were elected to do. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.