Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome my colleagues back to the House, and extend my best wishes for 2013 to the people of the Deh Cho and the Northwest Territories.
My focus today is getting back to the basics of governance. Government is working, on many fronts, to provide programs and services that contribute to the quality of life of all Northerners. There is much work that needs to be done to ensure that we use our resources efficiently and effectively.
Consensus government will be put to the test, especially in the 17th Assembly. Major issues hinge on fundamental matters such as jurisdiction, treaty rights and Aboriginal title that have to be respected. We face many challenges. The cost of goods is increasing due to global market pressures in addition to the transportation costs associated with the remote locations of our communities, disparities in wage and job opportunities among our people, the high cost of living and diminishing funds for public housing.
Addiction tortures the lives of many people and compounds the pressures on our government, particularly in the areas of health and social services.
As the Northwest Territories moves closer to a final Devolution Agreement, the need to settle land claims becomes even more apparent. The governments of the Northwest Territories and Canada, First Nations and local government must continue to work together to resolve issues and establish greater certainty for the future. I urge all parties to continue to work with fairness and integrity. Reaching agreements may involve some compromise in the short term, but self-government will bring greater authority and autonomy to our people, certainly to other governments and industry, and prosperity in the future.
With devolution, a large number of staff, programs and services will be transferred to the GNWT. What we have seen thus far with the transfer of responsibilities is concentrated in headquarters and regional centres. Members of this Assembly continue to insist that positions be moved into the regions. We must carefully consider the impact that this will have on our communities with both municipal and territorial resources.
By getting back to the basics of governance and what we really came here to do, we’ll be able to make fundamental changes and move beyond perceptions on both sides. The development of governance in the Northwest Territories is ongoing involvement. Now more than ever, we must get back to the basics to create the future of the Northwest Territories. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Nadli. The Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
