Debates of June 2, 2005 (day 7)

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, as this is the last day that we will be formally sitting in the House for the next couple of months I would like to take some time for two minutes and 20 seconds to reiterate some of the initiatives and concerns I feel could make some significant progress forward, given the right rules and encouragement by the Members of this House; namely, our Ministers opposite.

First, Madam Speaker, the taxation issue could be moved forward and possibly be resolved by the end of this taxation year if the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the Financial Management Board worked with the communities to see that an agreeable plan is put in place to address and resolve this issue.

Second, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs should take a comprehensive approach to addressing the dust control problems in northern communities, namely Lutselk’e, and have a plan and priorities in place for the next business planning process.

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Third, I would also like to see Municipal and Community Affairs address the youth centre initiative in Deninu Kue or the lack of a youth centre in Deninu Kue. I feel this is a high priority item that should be seriously considered under the new municipal and rural infrastructure funding arrangement that this government has with the Government of Canada.

Fourth, I’d like to see a short-term plan from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on the relocation of the Hook Lake Bison Recovery Program that can be initiated and completed in the fall of 2005.

Madam Speaker, I can stand here and present many other initiatives relating to human resources, aboriginal affairs, housing, health and hydro that are very important to my constituents, but I only have a couple of minutes. I just want to assure my constituents that I will be addressing many of these issues through regular communications with the appropriate department Ministers over the summer.

Madam Speaker, another point raised earlier in session that I feel is very important and one which will see that things are actually moving forward and being addressed is this government's responsiveness, which is measured, I feel, by results. Being adamant and compassionate about the many improvements required and new developments that are in the works in all of the areas I mentioned is not good enough, Madam Speaker, not for myself, my constituents or northerners. We need tangible results, Madam Speaker. No more reviews, studies, consultations or whatever, and I am cautiously optimistic that we can achieve tangible results on many fronts over the remainder of this fiscal year, but we all have to want these results, Madam Speaker. I hope that many of the Ministers will embrace the same view on moving this territory and its people forward. Mahsi, Madam Speaker.

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