Debates of October 13, 2004 (day 19)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Let me just start off by sending my greetings out to my constituents in Tu Nedhe. Let me say it’s nice to be back in the House and I look forward to working on some of the many issues and concerns that have been brought to my attention by my constituents, residents of the NWT and Canada.

Mr. Speaker, as you and my colleagues are well aware the political landscape of Canada has gone through some significant changes over the past few months and, thanks to the diligent and persistent work of our leadership, we as northerners have an enormous opportunity to make great achievements economically, socially and politically. But we must remember, Mr. Speaker, that these opportunities do not come about without some sacrifice by our people. The sacrifices I am talking about are those dealing with the health, social and cultural well-being of all of our residents from all areas of the human spectrum: from infants to the elderly, educated and uneducated, employed and unemployed, aboriginal and non-aboriginal. We are all affected by any profound changes in our political and social environment, but change is usually good and a step towards making positive changes is what this government is working on. Mr. Speaker, many of these new challenges on change will assist us as government representatives accomplish some of the goals and aspirations this government has set out in the strategic plan released in June 2004.

Mr. Speaker, more sacrifices are what we will have to bear in order to make some of these goals in the strategic plan a reality. I believe this government will have to look within and make sacrifices from within in order to achieve some of the goals such as becoming self-reliant peoples and communities. The people of the Northwest Territories have already made too many sacrifices on their own in the past in order to bring us to where we are today. I respect them for all of what they have offered and contributed to the betterment of our land and our people.

I feel now that it is time that we, as a government, challenge ourselves to make more positive changes in areas of accessibility, accountability and attitude, accessibility and accountability to our citizens in addressing issues and delivery of programs so that they are addressed and worked out in a timely, effective, and efficient manner, and in the attitude of our public service so that these positive changes can be realized at the grassroots where many residents have become too complacent about what the role and responsibilities are…

Mr. Villeneuve, your time for your Member’s statement has expired.

I seek unanimous consent from the Members to continue my statement.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Villeneuve.

Thank you. …so that these positive changes can be realized at the grassroots where many residents have become too complacent about what the role and responsibilities are of this government and why the system of program delivery has grown quite cumbersome and confusing in some areas, resulting in a loss of trust by residents in our system of government.

Mr. Speaker, I hope I and my colleagues will make this a priority during this 15th Legislative Assembly; to make these and other positive changes happen so that we can all benefit in the long term. Thank you.

---Applause