Debates of February 1, 2006 (day 20)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, since our last sitting in November, the winds of political change have swept across the NWT and many parts of our country. Canada elected a Conservative minority government in Ottawa, and in the NWT, the people voted for a change and the agent for change they have chosen is the new MP for the Western Arctic, Mr. Dennis Bevington. In my first opportunity to do so in this House, I would like to extend my warm congratulations to Mr. Bevington.

Mr. Speaker, I can speak from having watched them more closely than others, that he and his team were very diligent and focussed throughout their campaign. I have no doubt, Mr. Speaker, that Mr. Bevington will apply the same efforts, as well as his new energy and vision, in doing his job as the new MP and will do it very well.

Mr. Speaker, I believe we know in this House how rewarding but at times challenging it can be to represent and serve our people in all of the 33 very diverse and unique communities. I appreciate that the changes always bring opportunity and I look at this as a huge opportunity for all of us to approach things from different perspectives, where necessary, in order that we all achieve together the goals and aspirations of the people we have the collected privilege to serve.

I wish to also take a moment to thank Messrs Edjericon, Beaudin and van der Veen for putting their names, efforts and best arguments forward for people to choose from. It is an integral part of our democracy and it takes special strength and conviction to do so and I appreciate their efforts very much.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to acknowledge the service of Mrs. Ethel Blondin-Andrew. I believe we have all learned to appreciate her commitment to the North and her strong work ethics and stamina in the way she served the people of the North through thick and thin. I believe that the distance in time will make it more clear of the strong legacy and achievement of her work. For that, we owe her much thanks and I wish to take this opportunity to wish her and her husband, Leon Andrew, the very best as they embark together on the next chapter of their lives. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in light of the recent federal election, I’d like to make a few comments in view of the significance of the federal government in relation to our government. I’d like to congratulate the people who ran to represent the Western Arctic in the House of Commons. Having choices is what makes our democratic system work. Each put forth a credible effort to ensure the constituents were informed of their positions.

A special congratulations to Dennis Bevington for his tenacity in seeking and now winning the seat for this riding. Dennis is well-informed and respected in the work that he has undertaken on behalf of northerners and I know that he will represent us well.

I would also like to thank Ethel Blondin-Andrew for her work on our behalf over the past 17 years. I’d like to congratulate Stephen Harper in his new role as Prime Minister. It is a daunting undertaking. From our unique government to his, I would like to say welcome to consensus government. It will take much skill to move his agenda forward with the diversified personalities and agendas now in the House of Commons, but we look forward to hearing of the assignment of key ministerial portfolios which will work closely with our government.

We have heard much debate leading up to the election. I was disappointed with the degree of negative stereotyping that was expressed, not particularly in this riding. It was done in an attempt to scare the Canadian electorate away from a Conservative government, and I hope now we’ll hear less of those cryptic references to hidden agendas and intolerance. I personally prefer it when political candidates focus on the positive solutions that they have to offer.

As an aside, Mr. Speaker, I never cease to be amazed by people and parties who hold themselves out as so inclusive and so tolerant, and yet so quickly berate others with a different moral or political conviction in an area such as traditional values.

For the North, Mr. Speaker, the Liberals knew us, they said they loved us, but it was hard to tell. The Conservatives want to get to know us and I am optimistic about how they will feel about us, and I’m certain that the New Democrats will get to know us well through our new Member in the House of Commons, Mr. Dennis Bevington. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m certainly very happy to be back in this House with the rest of my colleagues as we prepare to entertain the 2006-07 budget and address the issues that our constituents have raised with us since the last time we met. I’d like to start off by congratulating Prime Minister-designate Mr. Stephen Harper and his incoming Conservative government. I do believe, and have tremendous hope, that the change in government in Ottawa will pay huge dividends here in the North. Issues like resource revenue sharing, devolution, fiscal surety and the completion of outstanding land claims processes will be front and centre under this new Conservative government.

Congratulations, as well, Mr. Speaker, are also in order for our new Member of Parliament, Mr. Dennis Bevington. He will certainly be challenged by not being in a governing party, but I am certain that he will work hard on our behalf in Ottawa and do the best that he can for us. I wish him all the best in his new pursuit and I do look forward to working with him in the future.

I’d also like to acknowledge, if I could, the dedication, devotion, and efforts of our outgoing Member of Parliament, Ms. Ethel Blondin-Andrew. Although we lined up on different sides of the political field, I certainly have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for the work she performed in Ottawa on behalf of our government, the aboriginal governments, and the residents of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I’d also like to wish her -- I know it was mentioned earlier -- and her family all the best in the future. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time on today’s Order Paper, I’ll have some questions for our Premier on how our government plans to take up our issues in Ottawa and what strategy they will employ in doing so. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Before we go on, colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to the gallery to a former Member of this House and Member of the former riding of North Slave, Mr. Leon Lafferty.

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