Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on July 31st I had the pleasure of attending the release of the territorial energy strategy in Wha Ti. This strategy was developed after consultation with energy providers, industry, business and the public. Last February, I travelled with the Energy Secretariat to the communities within my region. I know that one of the common concerns that people share was that the rates for power were too high. People have a hard time paying their power bills, Mr. Speaker.

Over the past year, I have continually asked the Premier and the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation to bring the issue of a one-rate zone for power to the table for discussion so that everyone would be treated equally and fairly in the Northwest Territories. I have been continually told that once the energy strategy was completed it would be part of the strategy.

Mr. Speaker, when the Premier released the energy strategy in July, he stated that the strategy will serve as a road map for dealing with complex energy policy decisions. The strategy recognizes that the current ways in which energy is applied, priced and consumed in the communities and to industry is not financially and environmentally sustainable. It also points out that there is strong support in the smaller diesel electric communities for a single electric rate for all consumers in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, the strategy recognizes that changes need to be made. Now that the strategy is completed, I think that it needs to be discussed by the Members of this Assembly and we, as well as members from the public, need the opportunity to explore the option of recommending a one-rate zone for power or, as I suggested in the press release last October, a two-tiered levelized rate that takes into account the sources of power, whether they are diesel or hydro, that could be put into place.

Mr. Speaker, with a little over three weeks left in the life of this Assembly, I ask Cabinet if they could direct the Northwest Territories Power Corporation to proceed with an application for changing the rate structure so that the public hearings on this matter can begin. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister is right, I drive the road almost everyday and I have yet to see equipment working on that road consecutively, more than three days at a time. This summer, they did only four circuits and that's in five months. Can the Minister get his department to do more frequent maintenance, then we don't have to deal with the safety or news reports to consider this one of the worst highways? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There must be lots of rain because the road has never been in good shape all summer. Because of this news report, has the department taken any new steps in maintaining that road? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Honourable Joe Handley, Minister of Transportation. Mr. Speaker, in questioning the Minister in the spring session, he told us that Highway No. 3 is in excellent condition, but if you read the newspaper in the Hub, Highway No. 3 was nominated as one of the worst highways in Canada. How can a road become one of the worst highways from excellent shape in a matter of a few months? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sometimes this government has to go through due process and sometimes things are dealt with over a certain amount of time. It may look like things are not moving too fast, but we have to show our support for the Tlicho legislation and I'd like to ask the Premier if he and his Cabinet, along with the other Members, can show some kind of support by doing a press release or whatever. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to thank the Premier for the answer he's given. It's very positive. I'd also like to ask him if he can work with Cabinet and Members on this side on the chance that if we can't pass this Tlicho legislation within the time we have on October 24th, I would ask that if he can work towards maybe getting a motion to the House so that we can extend the Legislative Assembly until the last day of our term, to January 6th, so that we can deal with the Tlicho legislation and pass it within the life of this Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi, the Premier of the Northwest Territories. I'd like to ask the Premier if he could work with Cabinet and the Members on this side of the House to accommodate the passage of the Tlicho Settlement Act through the life of this Assembly. By that I'm asking if we can extend the sitting or extend the days that we're going to sit here in this House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize all my constituents from North Slave, the people of the Tlicho government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to highlight one of the most significant happenings during the life of this Assembly and the history of the North. Of course, I am talking about the Tlicho agreement.

On August 25, 2003, the Prime Minister of Canada, the Premier of the Northwest Territories and the five chiefs in the Dogrib region signed a final agreement. Although both the federal and territorial governments still need to complete legislation for this agreement, a corner has been turned and self-government is in sight. One of the key elements of their agreement is the establishment of new community governments in the four Tlicho communities. These community governments will both represent all residents and be a method of implementing the aboriginal inherent right to self-government. In addition to community governments, the Tlicho government will be responsible for overall operations in the Dogrib region.

Mr. Speaker, self-government means many things to many people. To many self-government is a sign of hope and a sign of change. Self-government is defined by two key words: openness and accountability. We, in the Dogrib region, have, for many years, been accountable to the federal government in terms of finances, law-making and administration. Now in these areas, the Tlicho government will be accountable to the Tlicho people.

Mr. Speaker, elections will be held for officials in the Tlicho government. Tlicho government and all Tlicho companies and boards will provide audited financial statements and budgets for approval. By knowing what the budget is we can make choices for our future and the future of our children. We will be able to work toward self-sustaining communities.

Mr. Speaker, like anything, self-government is a process. A legislative process as well as an evolving personal and community journey. In recognition of this process, the negotiators have established a way that changes can be made to the future constitution if they are needed, so that the best interest of the Dogrib are protected.

Mr. Speaker, the creation, signing and implementation of the Tlicho land claim is and will be a time of learning for all our people as we try to promote and protect Tlicho heritage, culture and way of life. In closing I would like to acknowledge the years of dedication that the negotiators for the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council, the federal and territorial governments have spent in creating this agreement. Thank you Mr. Speaker.

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