Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have just gathered as the 15th Assembly for the second time and there has been much reference at the outset to the merits and principles of consensus government. Premier Handley’s remarks after being acclaimed as Premier included, “I think we have to work together, working together toward common goals.” In his sessional statement today, the Premier referred to working together, trust and translating our good intentions into concrete actions.

As Mr. Handley said, later today there will be a press conference. An idea that actually emerged with the 14th Assembly will be acted upon when the 19 Members of this House meet sometime in April with other community, northern and aboriginal leaders. Mr. Speaker, this is the backdrop and the context in which I raise my concern today.

I heard comments in the media early on in our mandate which have caused me concern, and I have to believe have caused other northerners concern as well. Back in December, Mr. Handley made reference to the trilateral approach to negotiating devolution; that it had been slow and hadn’t resulted in significant progress. In the absence of any reference to an alternative, immediately I began to wonder how this would be perceived by our aboriginal government partners who have been at the Intergovernmental Forum table with us. If a new approach to negotiating devolution had been considered, developed or approved, it is news to me.

Then, as recently as this morning, there it was on the CBC news: “Health Minister Michael Miltenberger proposes changes to health board operations. We need fewer boards and we should amalgamate education and health boards.” If that’s a government initiative or approved direction, it’s not one that I had any part in developing or discussing. I don’t know what my constituents would think of this idea because, like me, they just heard it on the radio this morning.

I don’t want to belabour this, Mr. Speaker. I think the Premier and the Minister get my point. It’s an affront to the Members elected to this Assembly and to other northern and aboriginal leaders who we say we want a closer working relationship with, and to our constituents, to hear on the news in this manner, any reference to sweeping reform of governance structures for two areas of service and programs as significant and critical as health and education.

Hear, hear!

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Of course, the Members of this House, including myself, want to work together in a cooperative and constructive way, but hearing news as we did today is not going to serve that purpose. So let’s get the line drawn right now, up front, that we’re here to have meaningful input on this side of the House, on behalf of our constituents and we will not tolerate anything less. Thank you.

---Applause