Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For too many years the people of the NWT have had little say into the decisions affecting our territory, decisions that were made on exploration rights, land issues, traditional territory issues, royalty sharing agreements — too many decisions that are made for us by Ottawa. Everybody seems to have an opinion as to what is in our best interests. We have seen too many examples of people outside the NWT telling us what is best for us.
The most recent example, Mr. Speaker, is the World Wildlife Fund call to postpone the sale of oil and gas exploration rights until an environmental plan is done for the region. Do they think that we have no idea what we are doing up here and need someone to tell us that we need a plan? This has been going on for too long. Do they actually believe that we would let exploration happen without concerns for the environment? We do appreciate people’s concerns, but we are not going to just stand by and watch our land being pillaged for the sake of a few barrels of oil.
I continue to be frustrated by groups outside of the NWT using our issues up here to advance their own agendas. I think this government, along with working with the aboriginal governments, knows and can decide what is best for us. For too long we have had decisions made for us that are supposed to be in our best interests, and I think we know what is in our best interest. There must come a time when we have to say that enough is enough and take the future of the NWT into our own hands. I believe we do have the capabilities of making our own decisions.
Mr. Speaker, Ottawa is always using our resources as a piggy bank, thinking we owe them something. The time has come. We have to put a stop to that. When the resources and the money they generate run out, then Ottawa will say, “Okay; decide for yourselves” and they will give us that power. We must not continue to watch our wealth leave the NWT. We can’t always allow outsiders to stick their nose into our business and decide what is best for us and the NWT. We are quite capable of sticking our own noses in there. We have to take a hard line and protect the NWT and our grandchildren’s future. I think we do have the capabilities up here. I think it’s time that this government, along with the aboriginal governments in the Northwest Territories, decides to unite and let Ottawa know that we’re not going to be putting up with this anymore.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
