Debates of October 20, 2004 (day 24)

Mr. Speaker, it will be with great pleasure that later today I will introduce the Tlicho Community Service Agency Act, the final obligation of our government towards ratifying the Tlicho Final Agreement.

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This bill flows from a commitment made in the Intergovernmental Services Agreement, a sub-agreement of the Tlicho agreement signed last summer by Canada, the Tlicho and the GNWT.

I am pleased to note, Mr. Speaker, that as we move forward with this bill today, Canada is also taking the necessary steps to ratify the Tlicho agreement.

Yesterday, the federal government introduced and gave first reading to Bill C-14, the Tlicho Land Claims and Self-Government Act. Canada must pass this legislation for all three GNWT Tlicho bills to come into force.

The new Tlicho Community Service Agency replaces the Dogrib Community Services Board while keeping the many positive features of the existing board intact like the integrated delivery of health, education and social services. The model recognizes the advantages of using one system to deliver core programs to all people living in Tlicho communities. It ensures that all people receiving services will have a say in how the agency delivers programs. The Tlicho community governments, who will be elected by all residents, will select the membership of this agency.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Tlicho team for working so closely with the GNWT to develop this legislation. The ongoing intergovernmental collaboration that the new agency will require is an opportunity to further showcase how governments and our departments can work together. Their work has shown that practical arrangements can be made within the context of self-government to meet the interests of all parties. This is a true sign of partnership. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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