Debates of May 31, 2005 (day 5)

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, at my last constituency meeting in my Tu Nedhe community of Deninu Kue earlier this month, I’m glad to say the meeting went really well and that the 25 to 30 people who attended the constituency meeting raised a lot of concerns. Many of these concerns are ongoing issues related to government programs and delivery of those programs.

Madam Speaker, the majority of concerns raised by my constituents are related to housing and Municipal and Community Affairs and, more specifically, on issues of fairness and responsiveness. The issue of fairness and the delivery of housing programs both at the local and territorial levels has always been met with disregard for both levels of government and leads to growing frustration by my constituents about accountability and transparency principles this government claims to be committed towards delivering to northern residents.

But, Madam Speaker, the more important concern regarding responsiveness is the only one I would like this government to really take notice on, Madam Speaker. On many instances in the past there have been many issues that we thought to be settled between constituents and the various government department officials, be it through the telephone conversation, the one-on-one meetings, letters or just a simple handshake.

Madam Speaker, has the continued lack of response by this government and the feedback suddenly made a simple handshake exactly what it is, just a simple handshake? I hope not, Madam Speaker. Something that has been considered as binding and lawful only a few years ago is suddenly becoming meaningless to many who lived and had faith in this practice of agreement all of their lives while living here in the North. But because of this government’s inaction on many important matters, people are beginning to lose trust and confidence in the simple gesture that we all take for granted every day.

Madam Speaker, in summary I would like to challenge each government department to meeting firm commitments to resolving and carrying through the commitments many past and present Ministers make to my constituents and other northern residents so that the people can retain and react with some level of confidence, pride and trust in our government and its officials when they visit their community, make promises and seal the deal by shaking everybody’s hand. Mahsi, Madam Speaker.

---Applause