Debates of October 19, 2006 (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have been a Member of this House for almost three years and I continue to enjoy the opportunity and privilege to stand in this Legislature and represent the constituents of the riding of Kam Lake, the city of Yellowknife and this territory. I take my job and this position very seriously.

Yesterday during question period, while my colleague Ms. Lee was questioning the Minister of Health and Social Services and this was in response to an off the record comment I had made that the Minister of Health and Social Services should perhaps ask his colleague Mr. Dent about what happens when you just solely listen to your top level bureaucrats in your department and you shouldn’t perhaps accept for fact everything that your deputy minister or CEO may tell you.

Mr. Speaker, I have a message for the Premier and his Cabinet. Maybe they should all go for a tour of the various departments that they represent and are responsible for every once in awhile just to touch base with the employees who are there on the ground doing the front-line work, and discuss with them and meet them to see what their concerns are and make an effort to address them.

As a Regular Member, I take great pride in the fact that employees from all areas of our government’s operation can call me and get me to address their concerns. Mr. Speaker, they should be allowed to continue to do just that. Mr. Speaker, I will stand up and continue to fight for their issues. Our employees should not feel scared or intimidated to come forward because of reprisals of senior managers. Why is this such a touchy subject for this government? Are they afraid that they might be taken to task for something or might actually have to do something? It’s a problem, Mr. Speaker. I believe what this government needs is some whistleblower legislation and the sooner, the better. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause