Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What a historic day yesterday. Devolution has arrived after a long and a hard-fought battle. That we’ve reached this point is wonderful. I am in full support of devolution and very happy. It’s not something I thought I would see during my tenure here at the Legislative Assembly. I offer congratulations to the Premier, the Aboriginal governments and all the hardworking GNWT negotiations staff, past and present, who brought us to this point.
Today I’d like to follow up on an exchange that I had last week during budget deliberations with the Premier, and recent comments by the Premier. Just this week the Premier has been heard to say there will be an unprecedented level of public engagement and consultation. We now embark on a period of public engagement and consultation for 40 or 50 days. We will then, apparently, decide whether or not to accept the terms of the Devolution Final Agreement and sign off on it. It’s unclear who will be making that decision. According to the Premier, it will be the GNWT and its partners. Who are the partners, I asked. Aboriginal governments, I’m told.
As I tried to say last week, I’m seriously concerned about several aspects of the consultation plan. Just where do the opinions of the general public get considered in the proposed consultation and engagement scenario? I see no opportunity for a large segment of the public, specifically those not represented by an Aboriginal government, to influence the decision to sign off on the final agreement or not. Oh, but those residents are represented by the GNWT, is the answer. I’ve heard that said by one or another Cabinet Minister more than once. Unfortunately, those NWT residents do not agree with the Premier, and currently there is little trust among the general public that the upcoming public engagement will allow for those residents’ opinions to be considered and appreciated
Just what will the Premier do if there is a groundswell of public opinion against signing off on the Devolution Final Agreement? Not very much, I’m afraid. Just this morning Premier McLeod informed an interviewer that devolution is a done deal; no changes are expected. Why, then, are we wasting money on a public engagement process when it will result in absolutely no change?
I will have questions for the Premier at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
