Debates of May 19, 2011 (day 11)

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I will be speaking today on the Devolution Agreement-in-Principle. I’m still concerned in the way it was signed by the Premier and the Indian Affairs Minister at that time. However, I have been contemplating the fact that our Premier has indicated that there is no turning back and that the returned federal Conservative government will continue with devolution negotiations.

At this time I would urge our Premier to convene a meeting with the new federal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development -- a name change that is stirring controversy. I hope that he can spend more than a few hours in the North. The federal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs must understand our unique Aboriginal issues and challenges in the North. It begins with dialogue and meeting with all our Aboriginal First Nations regional governments. I hope he can do that as soon as possible.

Should our government and the new federal government continue to move forward towards a final devolution deal in the future, despite full support of our Aboriginal governments, I feel it is in the best interests of my constituency at this time to advise our government that we must devolve some departments to the communities and regions so that all benefit.

What is the plan to transfer all the related jobs north? I believe that there must be an opportunity to devolve these positions and departments outside of Yellowknife. As my colleague Mrs. Groenewegen has indicated, every new job in a small community and region is beneficial.

Also, the increase in revenues from devolution must benefit our people directly, such as restructuring our rent scales for housing, increasing student financial support, and support for our seniors.

With that, I think that it’s a fine balance that Aboriginal MLAs have, but at the same time if devolution is going to be an eventuality, I feel that we must look at devolving these positions and departments to our regions and communities.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.