Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to follow up on my Member’s statement earlier today with questions to the Premier on devolution. I’m wondering, first, if the Premier could explain what process of public consultation and validation we can expect following the eventual signing of the draft final agreement on devolution.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Premier, Mr. McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’ve been involved in negotiating devolution in the Northwest Territories for over 40 years. As a matter of fact, every department and program that is now with the Government of the Northwest Territories has been devolved from the Government of Canada. There have been at least 10 programs that have been devolved, that I’m aware of, and I’m pleased to report to the Member that, with this agreement, there will be an unprecedented level of public engagement and consultation.
I’m delighted to hear that and thank the Premier for that. Does the Premier plan to provide an opportunity for this Assembly to debate and vote on the Devolution Agreement and, if not, why not?
We are all elected by the people of the Northwest Territories to do a job and represent our constituents to the best of our ability. By all means we will bring it to this Assembly.
I appreciate getting the full range. I have a good series of yesses going here. How about a plebiscite? Our Elections and Plebiscites Act says that, on the recommendation of the Assembly, the Commissioner can order a plebiscite take place, but that recommendation must come from this House. Will the Premier commit to supporting a plebiscite that will allow meaningful public participation and debate, and a sense of ownership in this historic agreement before signing the final Devolution Agreement?
Perhaps I’ll try to describe what overkill means in the dictionary. We have been negotiating this devolution deal for over 12 years. We have been consulting with the public on a regular basis. I have offered to the Members across that we will be rolling out a communications strategy in the next few years and we will be sharing it with committee. If the committee provides us with feedback we will consider it.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final supplementary, Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks again for the Premier’s commitment there. I think it is very important, indeed, to make sure that our public, as the Premier mentioned, it’s been 40 years and the public has had very little participation. There have been some Aboriginal governments that have been at the table and so on, but I’m talking about the general public. They certainly have not had the participation that we want.
In a democracy, transparency is greatly appreciated. The ability to participate in a decision is greatly appreciated. I think even having this House participate would be great. Does the Premier agree that giving the public a chance to take some ownership in this historic decision by voting through a plebiscite would be a great thing for the public?
I’ve already indicated that the public will have unprecedented opportunities to have public engagement on this deal. I personally don’t believe in running government by referendum or by plebiscite. I would not support that.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
