Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. We have talked a lot about a government that is fair and open and accountable. That is how we Regular MLAs try to conduct ourselves, very strongly with these principles. I expect no less of Cabinet Members and every department they lead. It might be even more important for them because they ultimately manage the money and most of the land.
The latter fact and the power that goes with it should not get in the way of having fair negotiations with First Nations over land and self-government, but I believe that is happening. Today I call on the Premier to correct it. The state of negotiations in the Dehcho Process is alarming. Alarming, Mr. Speaker.
My information is that our government is offering the Dehcho First Nations less land than Canada is offering. Not more, less. How can that be? How can it be that this government is working against its own people? How can it be that this government is blocking progress when even the usually stingy federal government is willing to do better?
I want to make it clear that the Dehcho First Nations are not asking for some grandiose, out-of-the-line quantum of land. The Dehcho First Nations have made a practical and realistic proposal. Their proposal is in line with what’s in the Tlicho Agreement that this government signed and celebrated. The Deh Cho agreement-in-principle would be a great benefit to all the Northwest Territories and it is within reach.
We can do this if we are reasonable and use a little common sense. Instead, I fear we are trying to bully the Dehcho First Nations into a deal that is not as good as other regions have achieved. That is not fair.
I fear our government talks a good line in the media about working with Aboriginal governments but throws bricks at the negotiations table. My understanding is that if our government does not get its own way, which means getting more land for the GNWT to control instead of the Dehcho First Nations, our Premier has threatened to walk away from the talks.
I do not want negotiations in the media or in this House, but I do want fairness to the Dehcho First Nations. I’m convinced that if there’s fairness, a deal can be made. I’ll be asking the Premier about his priorities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
