Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today, I want to talk about the not-so-visible consequences of decisions government makes without thinking beyond the economics. Mr. Dent stated in the House recently that the Justice cuts in Hay River are only about economics. It is pretty amazing that a government that prides itself on being fair to the regions and respectful of its workers can take actions that can literally destroy people’s lives. For the people in the upper echelons of government, we are told that we have limited options as to how we can deal with them when the stakes are laid and bad judgment is exercised. They can be reassigned, put on indefinite types of leave on compassionate grounds.

This government makes mistakes that cost millions of dollars. Oh, well, let’s just sweep it under the carpet. Maybe Minister Dent would like to counter Mr. Ramsay’s assertion yesterday that the North Slave Correctional Centre debacle cost $1.5 million. But I haven’t heard any rebuttal, so let’s take it for a fact. I find it so offensive that there are no repercussions for wasting $1.5 million and yet the same department can turn around and wipe out long-standing services and long-serving, dedicated employees in our region to proudly state that they have reduced the government’s budget by $1.5 million.

Jobs and services from one community, in one department…Where is the accountability, Mr. Speaker? In Hay River, there are many stories that could be told about the impacts of these job cuts. Let me read into the record a letter that appeared in the House shortly after the closures were announced.

“Hi. I am 13 years old and both my parents are going to be losing their jobs as of March 31, 2005. The courthouse and Dene K'onia are shutting down. Also, SMCC is closing the remand unit. I am writing this letter to ask you to keep their jobs so we don’t have to move away from Hay River. All of my friends are here. I enjoy DJSS, bowling and swimming. My Dad loves his job at Dene K'onia. He had the opportunity to work somewhere else, but chose not to. He stayed at Dene K'onia. My Mom works really hard and enjoys working at the courthouse. They are both casual term employees and will not get paid out like others. Both of my parents will be out of work. Please vote so they can keep working in Hay River." Signed, Jessica.

Mr. Speaker, incidentally, both of Jessica’s parents are indigenous aboriginal northerners. Both will cease to be employed on March 31st. So I hope this government is proud of their savings in Justice and the loss of employment in Hay River, the loss of services to residents south of the lake, the loss of years of training and dedication. It is because of people like Jessica that I won’t quit asking questions and challenging Mr. Dent on the quality of his information, the quality of his decisions, and the accountability of this government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause