Debates of October 20, 2006 (day 12)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, of late, one of the debates around the House has been about the important value and the need for the Members to be able to speak without the fear of intimidation on behalf of the people we represent. We showed our resolve in that regard yesterday. But I have been thinking about what we have been doing to make such capacity available to people in our communities who are afraid to speak out against the government because of their fear about losing their jobs, their businesses or their contracts. As I stated two days ago in this House, Mr. Speaker, in a small jurisdiction like the NWT in terms of population, we are really connected by no more than two degrees of separation. We pride ourselves by our close community connection, but sometimes it works against the public transparency and accountability required to maintain a healthy democracy.

Mr. Speaker, I am constantly dealing with constituents and residents who are afraid about speaking out about inefficiency, incompetency and abuse even by the government. This is why I believe we need to have made-in-the-North whistle-blower legislation. Mr. Speaker, we need a legislative protection for those people which would make them feel safe to speak about the inefficiency or unethical behaviour at all levels of government, or perhaps even about the abuse of power by elected officials, or simply for the employees of the government to speak about the possibility of improving our program and service delivery without feeling like they will be penalized for speaking out.

Mr. Speaker, of course, such legislation would have to have a balance where an ombudsman-like figure or an office would investigate, and look objectively and in a neutral manner, at the merit and the details of each case and recommend an appropriate course of action.

Mr. Speaker, I can tell you that I've raised this issue many times within my time here and I have seen no action so far from the government. But this week I heard the Premier confirming that this is, in fact, in the works, and I would urge the Premier to bring this forward ASAP so that we can make this into a reality within the life of this Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause