Debates of August 23, 2007 (day 16)

Thank you.

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I will call Committee of the Whole to order. We will deal with Committee Report 6-15(6). Mr. Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I have already highlighted the Report on the Review on the Information and Privacy Commissioner 2005-2006 Annual Report as deemed read and we had some motions to follow that. Mahsi.

Does committee agree?

Agreed.

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Premier, Ministers and deputy ministers take a leadership role in changing the corporate culture as far as the interpretation and application of the ATIPP Act is concerned to create a culture of openness from top to bottom. Furthermore, this committee recommends that a new section reporting on ATIPP activities is included in the yearly business plan for each department. This new reporting framework should include information on requests, complaints and how they were resolved, related training and any other initiatives or activities that take place to promote the ATIPP legislation. Mahsi, Mr. Chair.

Mahsi, Mr. Lafferty. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. I move that this committee recommends that ATIPP activities related to boards and agencies be included in a proposed business plan reporting framework and that the GNWT deliver on its outstanding commitment to report back to the Accountability and Oversight committee on its commitment to a more proactive approach to ATIPP matters. Mahsi cho.

Mahsi, Mr. Lafferty. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the GNWT table a comprehensive response to this report no later than during the Second Session of the 16th Legislative Assembly. Mahsi, Mr. Chair.

Mahsi, Mr. Lafferty. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Thank you, committee. Does committee agree that consideration of Committee Report 6-15(6) is concluded?

Agreed.

Thank you, committee. Committee Report 6-15(6) is concluded. At this point in time, I would like to ask what is the wish of committee? Mr. Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. I move we report progress.

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Mahsi, Mr. Lafferty. There’s a motion to report progress. The motion is in order. It’s not debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

I will now rise and report progress. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Committee Report 6-15(6) and would like to report progress with three motions being adopted and that Committee Report 6-15(6) is concluded. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Do we have a seconder? The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Awww!

The motion is on the floor. The motion is in order. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Third reading of bills.

Colleagues, before we rise and conclude this final session of the 15th Legislative Assembly, I would like to take a moment to say a few words. To begin, I would like to thank all Members for allowing me to serve as Speaker for the Legislative Assembly for the last three years.

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It has been an honour, a pleasure, and occasionally a challenge to guide this Assembly through to its completion. I have taken very seriously the duty to uphold our privileges and your rules. As Speaker, I do not make the rules; I am a servant of them. I have always endeavoured to protect the integrity of the institution and the right of all Members to express their individual and collective will. You haven’t always made it easy for me but, in all, I do appreciate the consideration and cooperation that I have received from Members in carrying out these duties.

Needless to say, I will never forget the sight of spontaneous cotton balls appearing in Regular Members’ ears, or the badly out-of-key choir of Regular Members singing Trailers for Sale or Rent.

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These are images that will haunt me for the rest of my days.

The job of Speaker carries with it a unique set of challenges. In addition to acting as referee between talented and spirited opposing teams, the Speaker continues to be, and is always, a Member of this Assembly. Let me tell you, there have been many occasions when I have nearly bit my tongue trying not to say what was truly on my mind. That was certainly the case on Tuesday when Mr. Dent said he only had two unfinished pieces of business.

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In all seriousness though, all Speakers throughout Canada and the world face the same challenges in being fair and unbiased in the House while, at the same time, ensuring that their constituents’ voices are heard. I have been fortunate during my term as Speaker and have enjoyed the assistance of my fellow Hay River MLA, Mrs. Groenewegen, in ensuring the Hay River issues are represented on the floor of the House. At various times, I have always enjoyed the assistance of other Regular Members to raise issues on my behalf in their statements and questions to Ministers. For those who assisted me in this regard, I am grateful.

Finally, as it is tradition, I have enjoyed an exceptional level of cooperation from Premier Handley and his Ministers in ensuring the needs and concerns of my constituents were addressed. The Premier’s door has always been open to me and he and his Ministers and staff have always respected and stayed true to the unique challenges facing the Speaker in the House.

It has been a distinct honour of representing the people of Hay River North in both the 14th and 15th Assemblies. Their interest and well-being have always been my first priority. I want to take this opportunity to thank the Members of the Legislative Assembly Board of Management, which I chair, who have worked diligently and with great care and concern to ensure the operation of the Legislative Assembly and the services provided to Members is at the highest calibre possible. Appointments to this board often places the Members in difficult situations. I can say, without hesitation, that all Members who have served on the board, including Mr. Krutko as its first chair, Mr. Bell, Mr. Pokiak, Mr. Ramsay, Mr. Menicoche and Mr. Yakeleya, have carried out their duties with integrity and nothing but the best interest of this institution in mind. I am grateful of their efforts and proud of the work they have done.

Of the many things this board has achieved, the one I am particularly proud of is the new Legislative Assembly broadcast system to be implemented in the 16th Assembly. This groundbreaking system will allow us to broadcast the sittings of this House and its committees to all communities in the Northwest Territories in all of the official languages of the Northwest Territories.

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The establishment of the NWT’s first Human Rights and Equal Pay commissions, the Electoral Boundaries Commission, the Cultural Enhancement Commission, the Members’ Pay and Benefits Commission, the comprehensive review of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, the Election and Plebiscites Act and Members’ pension legislation are just an example of some of the achievements of this board.

One of my greatest pleasures as Speaker has been to represent the Assembly throughout the Northwest Territories, Canada and abroad, to ensure that our Assembly is seen and understood as the unique, valued and honoured institution that it continues to be.

Others have pointed out that our system of consensus government is not perfect. Indeed, it is not. I am convinced, however, that our system far exceeds the standards of least/worst set by Winston Churchill in describing the traditional Westminster model. I am convinced that other parts of the world, particularly those parts where democracy is in its infancy, can learn a great deal from the way we conduct the business of government in this great territory. It has been an honour to help spread that message as Speaker.

It has been an honour and an absolute joy to travel to communities, to the communities of Whati, Fort Resolution, Hay River and Sachs Harbour with the Mace of the Northwest Territories and see the expressions on the faces of the school children and seniors when they get a close look at this beautiful symbol of our territory. I have always felt that if this institution is to remain relevant in the minds of its residents, they must experience it firsthand. It is my sincere hope that future Speakers will continue this important initiative.

As others have done, I want to take an opportunity on behalf of all Members to express our appreciation and support for commitment provided by officers of the Legislative Assembly including the Clerk, Mr. Tim Mercer, and his capable table staff, Mr. Schauerte and Ms. Bennett…

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the Law Clerks, Mr. Boyd and Ms. Payne, and the Sergeant-at-Arms, Mr. Thagard and Mr. Edjericon.

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I also want to thank the officers who have served previously in this Assembly including Mr. David Inch, Mr. Andrew Stewart, Mr. Darrin Ouellette and Ms. Katherine Peterson.

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Others have made reference to the contribution of various Members of the Legislative Assembly staff in recent days. I am mindful of the old rule that if you can’t name every person you wish to thank, don’t name any. Each and every employee of the Legislative Assembly serves an important and vital function. Some work more closely with Members than others, but I can tell you that they are dedicated to the mission of this institution and to your success as Members. To each of you, I express my thanks and gratitude. You can be proud of your work and if any of you follow through with the threat of writing a tell-all book, please be kind to your Speaker.

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My thanks also go out to the Pages who have served us so well over the last four years. Seeing this Assembly through the eyes of the youth of the NWT has often been illuminating. As you know, starting with the 16th Assembly, the Speaker’s office will fully sponsor and coordinate the attendance of four Pages from every constituency in the NWT each year. Not only…

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Not only will this take some burden off of Members’ budgets, it will also ensure fairness and equity to the youth of all regions.

To the contract staff, PIDO, security, Hansard, catering and janitorial services, I thank you as well for your excellent services and your dedication. We could not do our jobs if you didn’t do yours so well. Your work takes place behind the scenes, but it is appreciated and valued.

I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the assistance I have received from my staff; my executive assistant, Ms. Sue Tkachuk, and my constituency assistant, Ms. Deb Mageean. Your assistance is invaluable and I greatly appreciate everything you have done to assist my office, both in Yellowknife and Hay River.

Colleagues, although it has been mentioned many times during the last week, the debt we all owe to our families is a huge one. We could not do what we do in this House, in our committees, in Cabinet or in our constituencies, without their support and their encouragement. To the families and friends who provide such a network of strength for each of us, please accept our sincere thanks. I, of course, want to thank my wife, Davida, and my children and grandchildren for their constant support and love.

When we leave this Chamber today, colleagues, we go in many different directions. To those seeking re-election, I wish you the best of luck. For those who are taking a different road, our very best wishes will accompany you as well. No matter where October 2nd finds you, you can take pride in the work that you have done in this Chamber: considering the passage of legislation and budgets, debating important matters of public policy, giving voice to the issues and concerns of your constituents or holding the government to account. Otto Von Bismarck, a German counsellor once said, "The less people know about how sausages and laws are made, the better they sleep at night." We have made a fair bit of sausage during this Assembly. As Speaker, I often only get to see the final product, as opposed to what happens inside the sausage maker. But I know when I look back on the work of this Assembly, I will sleep very well indeed.

Thank you, colleagues. With that, Mr. Clerk, will you ascertain if the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, the Honourable Tony Whitford, is prepared to enter the Chamber and assent to bills and prorogue the Sixth Session of the 15th Assembly.

What a wonderful feeling to be back in this chair, colleagues, but it’s a feeling.

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Monsieur le president, monsieur le premier minister, messieurs et Mesdames les deputes, mesdames et messieurs, et amis.

It is once again a pleasure and honour for me to be in your presence and to close this Assembly. It seems not that long ago I was here doing the same thing, but from your side of the House, in 2003.

Using this time for a few personal comments before I begin my formal duties, I want to say what a pleasure it has been to watch the important work of our government coming together through your sincerity and hard work.

This year, we witnessed the 40th anniversary of the Government of the Northwest Territories coming home to the North. To some of us who were around 40 years ago, we watched and wondered what would happen, some of us even wondered if we too could be part of the new government.

In these past 40 or so years, the world has watched our territory evolve politically, socially, economically and culturally, and, from time to time, we have led the way in change and other countries have followed our example.

Some of us could only watch; some took more active roles through employment, but, in your case, you have taken on the role as leaders. You have all become the instruments of change and have acted on the people's wishes during your elected terms by making those important changes. To them, we owe you a great deal.

Being in politics is a difficult task not just for the Members, but for their families as well. Without the support of your families, you jobs here would be even more difficult, if not impossible. To them, we owe a great deal and I extend my admiration and gratitude to your families, on behalf of all the North's people.

I know now that some of you have already announced your intention to seek re-election. I want to wish you every success in your campaigns.

Some of you have also announced your intention not to seek the mandate and will pursue other challenges instead. I want to extend my appreciation for your service to your constituents and all people of the North, and also wish you every success in your decision.

It has been an honour to have served and worked with you.

To conclude my personal comments to the Members, I also want to let you know that I have had the pleasure of visiting each of your ridings at least once since becoming your Commissioner. I am happy to report that I have only two and a half communities left to visit by next April. The half is for the community where I was only at the airport and not in the community. I’ll get it done.

On behalf of my staff, Phila Fyten and Raegen Mager, and Barb Paquin -- two are present this afternoon in the gallery -- it has been a pleasure to be in your service during this 15th Legislative Assembly and we look forward to continuing that with Members of the 16th Legislative Assembly beginning in October.

When you first came together, you had a vision of a Northwest Territories where individuals, families and communities could be self-reliant. The work you have undertaken during this Assembly has helped northerners do just that.

The agenda you set for yourselves has been ambitious. Sometimes your deliberations were difficult, but ultimately your work has served to improve the North's general condition and have a positive effect on the lives of northerners. You have achieved your goal and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the people of the Northwest Territories.

As you look back over your term in office, some important milestones will stand out:

an important new territorial formula financing agreement and a better government credit rating;

an agreement-in-principle with four aboriginal groups on devolution, contributing to moving the entire devolution agenda very near to success;

a Greenhouse Gas Strategy and an Energy Strategy;

a territorial recycling program, a program which I take advantage of;

more training and job opportunities for northerners than ever before;

major improvements to the income security programs;

a significant increase in the number of senior high school graduates, particularly among aboriginal students; and

continued support for a responsibly developed oil and gas pipeline.

Of course, there are other initiatives that are still in the works. Tomorrow, for example, I am very pleased to be travelling to Fort Providence for a sod turning celebration for the long-awaited Deh Cho Bridge project.

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