Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m becoming increasingly concerned with how this government defines consultation. Not the high-profile, legal definition of duty to consult; no, I’m concerned that we as a government are ignoring the spirit and intent of consultation with our residents and NWT organizations. I’m feeling a shift in the way that our government does business. That a we-know-what-we’re-doing, we-don’t-need-your-help, leave-us-alone attitude is even more prevalent than the last Assembly.
The government seems to have fallen into the habit of preparing a policy, a framework, or a strategy in-house and then goes out and asks residents and organizations or stakeholders if they’ve got it right. It should be the other way around.
A good example in point is the Recreational Land Lease Policy. Municipal and Community Affairs is right now carrying out broad consultation on a discussion paper that they developed, and good for them for doing comprehensive consultation. But that paper was developed without any input, without any discussions or consultation with the current recreational land leaseholders. So it’s no surprise to me, and it shouldn’t be any surprise to MACA, that the recommendations of their discussion paper are being contested by the leaseholders.
Yesterday the Premier made two comments in his sessional statement, which alerted my spidey senses. Most know by now that the government is in the throes of a Shelter Policy review, and while I can’t find fault with the consultation done for that review, it is the next steps which concern me. The Premier stated yesterday that we, Members of the House and the public, will soon see a strategic framework for housing, apparently in advance of seeing the results of the Shelter Policy review. I know that those involved in the provision of housing in the NWT will have opinions on that shelter review and on the results in any report. Why are we not consulting with our service providers, getting their expert advice and opinions on the recommendations from the Shelter Policy review report and then developing a strategic framework?
The Premier also stated yesterday that a government report, yet unseen by the public, but thankfully soon to be seen, will be used to develop an Anti-Poverty Strategy. We’re working backwards, Mr. Speaker. We should be working with our knowledgeable and expert residents before we create a strategy, not after it’s done. We should be seeking their advice and using it in the creation of any strategy framework or policy. We’ve put the cart before the horse and we would do well to recognize it; recognize it and reverse the cart and horse situation before we take the buggy to town.
I will have questions for the Premier at the appropriate time.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
