Debates of May 31, 2004 (day 16)

To the motion. I will allow the mover of the motion to have the last comment. Mr. Zoe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am here on the prerogative of the House. This unfortunate incident has caused me a lot of difficulty, as you know by what happened all last week. I did make a commitment when I was first elected that I would do the best of my abilities to uphold office of Cabinet, and also to do the best I could in terms of the portfolio that was assigned to me. I indicated at that time, it didn’t matter which department I was given.

To my colleagues here, I appreciate Mr. McLeod. He doesn’t know the circumstances of what has happened, but I did, as Mr. McLeod indicated, apologize to the House. It’s unfortunate that some Members of this House feel more than what I have done. I have indicated that I am going to be doing self-help in terms of healing myself. I made a commitment to that. I have done that by going away this weekend. For some Members, that’s not enough; it’s way beyond that.

Last week a number of Members said in the House, when they were questioning the Premier with regard to my conduct and my portfolio that I have, I think every one of them indicated that I have done a good job as a Minister for the last six months or since my appointment. I realize that this whole situation has gone way beyond the control of some of us. I am at the privy of you and if that’s the wish of the assembly, it’s unfortunate it had to go that far, but by doing everything that the Members have asked of me, I have made a commitment. It seems as though it’s not enough for them for me to sit on this side of the House.

It’s unfortunate, but as some have said, I will be strong and look after myself. I was hoping that with the Members’ consideration and feeling of their heart, it doesn’t seem as though some will go that route. So with that, Mr. Speaker, obviously I will be voting against the motion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

To the motion. Mr. Yakeleya, as the mover of the motion, I allow you the last statement. To the motion.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Honourable Members of the House, since the incident, I have given some thought to it, prayed on it. There are some people who have thought about it, but I had to go inside my heart. Even last night I was talking to Tony. I said what do I do and what way should we go about dealing with this issue. I talked to the Sahtu leadership on Friday and talked to them over the weekend and today. I asked about this motion. It is really painful to move it. The Sahtu leadership told me that I would make the right decision, but also gave me some flexibility in terms of continuing on with an election. You know where we stand with regard to our leadership and with regard to alcoholism. We need to set examples for our children and set examples for our future. As leaders, we make sacrifices, daily sacrifices. I know in this House, being here six months, the amount of sacrifices that we make to our families and children on a daily basis are big. As public leaders, we give up our rights in life and take responsibilities. Some people talk about the fishbowl. I understand about the fishbowl now. People say things to you and take it out of context. Our leaders from the past were strong leaders and things were dealt with.

I was reminded of the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. When I was in leadership and issues like this came up, I wanted to thank Mr. Zoe because he really questioned my beliefs and values. What good can come out of this? We need to set an example to the people of the Northwest Territories. I have done a lot of work and am still doing work. It’s a daily thing that I have to practice, and I thank God for giving guidance for where I am today. I had to make a huge sacrifice. At the time, I didn’t see it. I have to thank a lot of people, old people, who helped me on this path and journey. Setting an example is key for us in this arena here. We have little ones who look up to us and we have older people who do, as well.

Today, we, as northern leaders, our leadership is called into question in the House here. How do we define our leadership? The motion here is we hold high regard to the integrity of holding office here. No matter what we do, there are different interpretations of how we are going to deal with this issue. At the end of the day, we have to look at the big picture and what’s good for the Northwest Territories overall. What is the best that we can do?

Mr. Speaker, it’s with a heavy heart that I talk about this issue. I support Mr. Zoe in terms of him or anybody else in the Northwest Territories going for treatment. It’s a long, tough journey. Sometimes you want to know if this journey is really worth it. I stand here today and say yes, it’s worth it, but I have lost many good people in my life and it hurts. It’s emotional. In leadership, we have to stand on solid ground and we have trust with our people and we have to gain that respect. Mr. Speaker, living in a fishbowl sometimes is not the best thing, but that’s my choice and my responsibility. That’s where I put myself. I have no regrets being in this House here with my honourable colleagues and with all the issues we have to work on.

It’s tough, Mr. Speaker, and it’s with kindness and love that I move this motion. It’s not to hurt anybody, but to see what good can come out of this, Mr. Speaker. I want to say thank you to Mr. Zoe and what you have done the last few days. We talked to you, Mr. Zoe, and I was there at one time with my own people. I had to look at this.

So, Mr. Speaker, I want to say in terms of supporting this motion, and I say this in all sincerity, it’s the principles that we are dealing with here as a government and as people, to lead the people in the Northwest Territories. Mahsi.

To the motion.

Question.

Mr. Yakeleya, Mr. Braden, Mr. Allen, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Miltenberger, Mr. Roland, Mr. Handley, Mr. Dent, Mr. Bell, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Ramsay, Mr. Delorey, Ms. Lee.

All those against the motion, please stand.

Mr. Zoe, Mr. McLeod, Mr. Villeneuve, Mr. Menicoche.

All those abstaining to the motion, please rise.

Mr. Pokiak.

The motion is carried with 13 in favour, four against and one abstention.

---Carried

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Legal Profession Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

---Carried

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Weledeh, the Bill 8, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2004, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

---Carried

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Frame Lake, that Bill 9, Write-off of Assets and Debts Act, 2004, be read for the first time. Thank you.

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

---Carried

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Bill 10, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2004-2005, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

---Carried

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Weledeh, that Bill 11, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2004-2005, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

---Carried

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that Bill 12, An Act to Amend the Education Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

---Carried

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Weledeh, that Bill 11, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2004-2005, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker this bill makes supplementary appropriations for the Government of the Northwest Territories for the 2004-05 fiscal year. Thank you.

The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.

Question.

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

---Carried

I call Committee of the Whole to order. The Speaker has listed the things that are before us today for Committee of the Whole. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Menicoche.

Madam Chair, I wish to report progress.

Thank you. Is that a motion, you move to report progress?

Yes, it is.

Thank you. The motion is in order. It’s not debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

I will rise and report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, your committee would like to report progress and, Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Is there a seconder for the motion? Mr. Ramsay.

Question.

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

---Carried

Mr. Speaker, there will be a meeting of the Caucus at the rise of the House today.

Orders of the day for Tuesday, June 1, 2004, 1:30 p.m.:

Prayer

Ministers' Statements

Members' Statements

Returns to Oral Questions

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Oral Questions

Written Questions

Returns to Written Questions

Replies to Opening Address

Petitions

Reports of Standing and Special Committees

Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills

Tabling of Documents

Notices of Motion

Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills

Motions

First Reading of Bills

Second Reading of Bills

- Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Legal Profession Act

- Bill 8, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act,

2004

- Bill 9, Write-off of Assets and Debts Act, 2004-2005

- Bill 10, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2004-2005

- Bill 12, An Act to Amend the Education Act

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

- Bill 5, Tlicho Community Government Act

- Committee Report 4-15(3), Report on the Review of Bill 5, Tlicho Community Government Act

- Bill 11, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1,

2004-2005

20.

Report of Committee of the Whole

21.

Third Reading of Bills

22.

Orders of the Day

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. This House stands adjourned until Tuesday, June 1, 2004, at 1:30 p.m.

---ADJOURNMENT

The House adjourned at 5:15 p.m.