Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to speak a little bit about consensus government, which always seems to come into sharper focus around election time.
I believe that we do not have to make a choice between consensus government or party politics. Sometimes if we find the things that we don’t like about consensus government, we think the only alternative is party politics. I don’t agree with that, but we have a consensus government that can be improved upon and can become more consensus.
The Cabinet that we have selected and have now been sworn in are the front line as we advance on tackling the issues and the challenges facing the Northwest Territories. I would like to see us as the Regular Members being that next line behind them, like a rear guard to support them in their role and to help in more ways than what we have in the past.
I spoke with the Premier, Mr. McLeod, when we walked into the Assembly the other day. We come in here as 19 Members. We’re all equally qualified to take on any of these roles. Some have more experience, they’re from different regions, have different backgrounds and perspectives, and that’s why we choose people to take on various areas of leadership within this group of 19. But I think there’s more opportunity for the Cabinet Ministers and even yourself, Mr. Speaker, to turn to the Regular Members on this side of the House to assist you in doing the duties of a Cabinet Minister.
Oftentimes it’s a hectic and busy time. There are functions to attend, there are conferences to speak at, there are all kinds of activities, and in this next four years going forward I would like to see this Cabinet consider the skills and experience and talents on this side of the House and allow us to help you in the performing of your duties both in formal and informal ways.
Mr. Speaker, during the last few days we’ve heard from people on the matter of consensus government. We read an editorial in the paper from a long-time news person, Mr. Jack Sigvaldson. We saw an interesting letter from Lois Little. We saw interesting commentary being put forward by Charles Furlong. These are all, I think, comments and expressions of interest, in how our government is run, by the public that we need to take seriously and we need to listen to, because I don’t think that the way we do things now…
Mrs. Groenewegen, you have now exceeded your time for your Member’s statement.
Mr. Speaker, could I please seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement?
---Unanimous consent granted.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Consensus is not clearly defined in the NWT Act. There is room for improvement. We have discretion, and we have the latitude to change the way we do things and to improve them, and I look forward to working with Members of this House to accomplish that in the next four years. Thank you.
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
