Floyd Roland

The departments of Justice and Health and Social Services have been reviewing that work and are trying to make things happen through our Building Our Future Strategic Initiative Committee. But again, the next process and business plan cycle will have to go through the 17th Assembly.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize some of our representatives that have been working on behalf of the Status of Women Council: Lorraine Phaneuf, Annemieke Mulders, and Samantha Dechief.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve thought about this moment, the last opportunity to use the replies to opening address to cover a lot of time, I guess. Sixteen years. One thing I’ve learned over the years, when I was a rookie MLA, that was one thing, I was very brief and to the point and rarely ever used a request for unanimous consent to conclude my statement. The one thing I make a joke about now is when I go to speaking at certain events, I’ve learned that every year as an MLA and every term allows me to speak longer, so I don’t think I’ll beat the record for a reply to the opening address...

Through the process we’ve been engaged in, we continue to update all of the Aboriginal groups including those who haven’t signed and are not right now a part of the formal negotiations. But as I said, there is a spot at the table. There is a chair waiting for someone to take up that seat and become part of the process. The door is open for them to come in. It’s a decision they need to make. In fact, we’ve put through this government a request for dollars to help with the Aboriginal groups to be a part of that process. We’ve opened the door, we’re providing funds, and we continue to keep that...

I guess I could do the proverbial “I was misquoted,” but, no, the fact is I was speaking frankly with an interviewer and he asked, well, some people have said you were too heavy-handed in your actions.

Clearly, these were not my actions. They were the actions of the Assembly. The majority of Members agreed that we need to move forward with this process. We decided to do that. Taking the stance and holding the stance, some may consider that heavy-handed and I guess I would look at it that there are some people who would believe that is the action I took and followed.

Quite clearly, one of the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Rarely do I get an opportunity to recognize in the gallery some young men who have been a big part of my life, and they’re a bigger part of my life now, my sons: Mitchell, who is the youngest, Samuel, Quincey and Justin. Along with them, joining them in support for me here today is Ms. Angela Young.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This motion and the request by Members to establish a commission in this area has been one that, personally, I see as problematic. As a Cabinet we’ve looked at this, a decision was made, we went to Members, and we got agreement from a majority of Members to proceed. The agreement-in-principle has been signed. There was already some main table discussions held. More discussions will be held after the election. Every meeting we’ve had we’ve updated all Aboriginal regions. As I said earlier today, the table is open. The door to the table is open. The seats are there.

The...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The process we’ve been engaged in, number one, we have a meeting of the three northern Premiers to get together to discuss a pan-territorial approach to the opportunity to sit down with the Prime Minister. Following that, we also, from a Government of the Northwest Territories perspective, looked at our initiatives that are underway and highlighted some areas of concern for discussion with the Prime Minister purely from the Northwest Territories perspective. The AIP and devolution is a big part of that and, of course, any impacts that the federal government will be...

Before I respond directly to the question, I must thank the Member, I guess. We can have one more lively question and answer process. This is going to be our last opportunity. We have one more day coming up to debate such an important subject, and I must say the Member has been very consistent in his approach and his values placed on Aboriginal leadership and the fact that we need to take our responsible place in decision-making here in the Northwest Territories.

Along with that, I think we’re so close, and I’ve said this to the Aboriginal leadership in the territory. We’re speaking almost the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Quite clearly, I think there is a lot of consistency in the statement. The fact of the way we’ve behaved as a government. When you look at the agreement-in-principle, that got its origin… The Member talks about the Northern Accord of the Dene/Metis comprehensive process. That agreement never got signed and moved forward. That’s why the Gwich’in were the first to do a separate agreement, followed by the Sahtu and now the Tlicho. Other groups are negotiating. In those claims that are settled, those groups that have settled are already benefiting from royalties as part of...