Floyd Roland

Mr. Speaker, the issue of the office building as the Member has raised here was debated during the infrastructure budget process. It did come up again this morning. When we were up in Inuvik, the Minister responsible informed the leadership that he was at the stage of going out to a public RP process and informed them today that, in fact, did go out just recently. We would be looking at what options are available, but the simple fact is this process has been out there for quite some time. In fact, both organizations put in unsolicited proposals and neither was accepted at that stage. The...

I know it was under discussion at the table. My understanding is they were going to prepare it as one of the motions that had to be discussed and voted on. I’m not sure the outcome of that.

Mr. Speaker, the comment about family counselling, maybe we could all use that in the Northwest Territories in trying to come up with an approach forward. Realistically, Mr. Speaker, we have and we can put on record the many things we have done as a government started in previous governments honoured by this government in working with the aboriginal governments in the Northwest Territories. The MOU process is one that started with the Gwich’in is now expanding to other regions and will continue to expand as rights become more clarified. There are times, and unfortunately, there will be times...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, it hasn’t.

One of the overall things, our own interest in the Northwest Territories is how we can reduce our footprint when it comes to the environment. The Hydro Strategy that we’ve put out there is one of those avenues, as this budget also speaks to alternative energy. So we’re definitely interested in that piece. As we go forward, looking at those initiatives, it would be the next stage. The first stage is looking at what they’ve actually brought to the table and what it means in detail for any steps going forward. I’m prepared to sit down with Members on that and go through a process with Members.

As I said, there has been no commitment and times established. This has been a couple of discussions. As I said, I’m prepared to sit down with Members of the Assembly committee to discuss previous work that was done, where that went, and if there’s agreement that we should look at this process and get further involved or should we put it on the agenda of the next government.

It’s one thing to engage with a private sector company and look at a proposal and establish a terms of reference for our crew to have a look at that. I’m prepared to sit down with committee to go over that and present the terms of reference at that time, but I’m not prepared at this time to table them.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m aware that at the Dene leadership meetings the topic of constitutional reform has come up. I’ve had discussions with the Dene National chief on the issue and I asked or he had requested that we look at trying to establish a joint process and that we undertake approaching the federal government to see if they would be party to that. I told him that we should be looking at what opportunities we have available working together in the Northwest Territories and be prepared to bring that to Members to have further discussion on.

It is one of the things that’s always been, I guess at some stage, a point of contention for Members when they consider running for a Cabinet position. It does impact your ability to speak freely about your constituency issues. That doesn’t limit the debate that happens at the Cabinet table about initiatives, but the simple fact that the process we’re involved in right now is fundamental in the existing framework and establishment we operate in. If we want to change that I think it is so fundamental that if we want to change that structure, then we should really be talking about an overall...

At the regional leadership meeting held with aboriginal leaders in Fort Simpson this issue came up. I, at that point, said if they are interested in submitting a proposal we would have a look at that as well.