Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I recently held a constituency meeting in advance of session, something I’ve made a habit of doing since I was elected. It was a very successful meeting and I heard a number of valid concerns from those who were in attendance and I would like to share those with you in the House.
In regard to legislation, two things came up. First, there was a need expressed for the NWT to have a building standards act. When any government in the NWT, whether it be local, territorial, or regional, approves the construction of a building, what governs how it is built? Who inspects or approves it to ensure that it is safe for those who will use it? Where does the responsibility lie within the GNWT to make sure that the National Building Code is followed? I was advised of a building recently built without any fire protection system because the community didn’t think they needed it. This was in a building which will be used by children.
Second, we discussed at some length the proposed Heritage Fund Act. Frame Lake constituents feel strongly that the Heritage Fund Act must provide for community input into the operation of the fund and that it should be overseen or governed by an arm’s length body, not by the Financial Management Board as the act currently states. The act also lacks any statement about the ethics of the Heritage Fund investments, and that’s important to my residents. They also told me that the act should identify the expected or intended sources of revenue for the fund. As the act reads now, revenue for the fund could come from GNWT operational funds, and that’s not acceptable.
On another note, I heard from my constituents about the actions and words of Members of this House. They agreed that the decorum in our House is far better than that in Ottawa, but they expressed disappointment with the lack of respect shown for our federal Member of Parliament in statements made in this House during the last session and during the recent federal election. Whether or not an MLA or the government supports the party or the individual who is the NWT MP -- our MP -- he has been elected by all NWT residents and deserves to be respected for that.
Lastly, I was asked to consider a novel -- novel for me anyway -- approach to how the next Premier would be chosen. Should our system not change and should I be in the House in October, my constituents want to be able to give me input on my vote for the Premier in advance of the MLAs voting for the Premier. I gladly accepted that challenge and will give Frame Lake constituents that opportunity if it comes about.
MLAs are blessed with residents who are concerned about our territory and our people and who want to make the NWT the best place it can be.
Ms. Bisaro, your time for Member’s statement has expired.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
I almost got it all in. We as MLAs would be well advised to listen to what our residents were telling us.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
