Debates of October 13, 2004 (day 19)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is good to see you and our colleagues here again. As others have said, Mr. Speaker, we do have a lot of work in front of us during this 15th Assembly. Mr. Speaker, I want to ensure my constituents and this House that I will be working diligently for them from this side of the House to keep our government accountable and to make sure they are fiscally responsible without cutting our core programs and services that are important to the Tlicho people and our communities across the Northwest Territories.

There are many important issues for the Tlicho region, and I want to make sure that our government is considering them in preparing its next budget and in setting the legislative agenda. First and foremost, Mr. Speaker, is our Tlicho agreement. As the Premier indicated today, one piece of legislation remains to be passed by this Assembly in order to implement our agreement. I look forward to seeing it in the very near future. Then we will be ready to implement as soon as the federal legislation gets through Parliament.

Tlicho communities are very concerned about aging community infrastructure, especially infrastructures that are tied to public health and safety, such as firefighting equipment and facilities, community roads and water and sewer services. The government’s capital plan needs to reflect this. Lack of adequate and affordable housing for elders, families and single people is also a major problem affecting Tlicho residents and the North. I will be looking for this government to ensure that they make investments in this area to address this particular situation. Youth and elder programs, winter roads and health care are also priorities for the Tlicho region. I will be working and looking forward to seeing that also in the next budget. In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I look forward in questioning the government about these and other issues during this session. Mahsi.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Item 3, Members’ statements. Before I leave Members’ statements, I would just like to draw attention to the Members of the rules governing Members’ statements. They are to be two-and-one-half minutes in length. When requesting unanimous consent to conclude, we would appreciate that Members use that time to conclude their statement, rather than going into a lengthy Members’ statement from then on.