Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier in this Assembly we came together as Members to establish our vision, goals, and priorities. Members agreed we would not simply work for the status quo. Rather we would work collaboratively to achieve real progress for the Territory. Since then our government has used the vision and goals and priorities of the 16th Assembly to formulate our plans and actions.
Unlike the typical stovepipe approach to the way we worked in the past, Strategic Initiatives Committees have been formed to direct investments into the priority areas identified by Members. These committees involve a cross-section of Ministers and deputy ministers to benefit from the various departmental and personal perspectives they offer.
We have taken the unprecedented step of inviting Regular Members to participate on all of those committees. So far, Members have all expressed an interest in the new Refocusing Government committee, with two Regular Members currently participating in the work on issues like board reform and program reviews. We have established a committee to specifically address small community issues attended by two Ministers and small community Members. We are finalizing the terms of reference for a plan of change committee,
again with participation from Regular Members and Ministers.
Much attention has been focused lately on the displeasure of Members with the record of this government. I believe the people of the Northwest Territories expect all Members to work together and I believe that most people in the NWT have not lost faith in their government.
We cannot move forward as a government and as a Territory if we are constantly threatened with removal from office. Yes, Cabinet should be held accountable, but if the threat of removal is held over a Minister’s head every time we come together for session, it cannot be long before paralysis creeps in bringing our collective efforts to a grinding halt. Our Territory, the people we represent, and we ourselves deserve better.
When we talk about accountability of government we must be clear what we are talking about. I believe accountability should be measured by results and it’s hard to achieve results when we are working against each other.
We started with a conservative fiscal approach in our first budget, getting control of the growth in our spending. Some reductions were necessary to begin to achieve this. Yesterday Mr. Miltenberger delivered another good budget, appropriate for our time.
Our budget process is testament to the collaborative work of Members and Cabinet. Our first budget passed unanimously and so far comments on this most recent budget have been positive. This government believes that infrastructure is the cornerstone of the future success of our Territory. If we want to see roads to resources then we have to have the visionary approach to support it.
Yes, we have committed to the Deh Cho Bridge Project, an initiative of the previous Assembly. The partnership approach to this project supports the development of capacity and the economy in our small communities. It’s exactly the type of project our economy needs right now, just like other infrastructure projects in our other communities around the NWT; the road to source 77 Tuktoyaktuk, water treatment plant upgrades in Aklavik, tank farm upgrades in Deline and Fort Good Hope, the Adult Supported Living Facility in Hay River, school board replacements in Fort Simpson, runway extensions in Tulita and Fort Good Hope.
Changes to the Supplementary Health Benefits Program may have been rolled out prematurely, but we have promised to review the changes, consult with stakeholders and the public, and bring back a better revision to the program.
The lending of money from the Opportunities Fund is a necessary step in these economic times. Governments in other jurisdictions are supporting their businesses in similar ways and our government should be no different. The talk is generated by businesses that are an important source of revenue for the GNWT. Hundreds of jobs in communities are supported by this loan. We look forward to Members’ input on the future use of dollars from this fund.
When I look back on this Assembly so far I don’t see disappointment. I see progress. I see many good things happening that this government has already achieved with the collaboration of Regular Members. Going forward it is the type of progress we should all focus on as Members. A few examples:
We were one of the first jurisdictions to conclude an agreement with Canada under the Building Canada Plan for infrastructure projects in the NWT.
We’ve made changes to the capital planning process that will improve how the GNWT plans, acquires, and delivers its infrastructure projects, and developed a strategy to reduce our infrastructure maintenance deficit.
We’ve made significant progress with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and aboriginal governments on the NWT Water Strategy.
We have introduced a new Species at Risk Act, currently in the public consultation phase.
We continue with the implementation of the New Deal for NWT community governments.
We’ve established the Alternative Energy Program to encourage community governments, businesses, and NWT residents to implement alternative energy solutions like solar hot water heating, photovoltaic technologies, wind turbines, and ground-source heat pumps.
Some of our own capital projects, like the North Slave Correctional Facility, Chief Jimmy Bruneau School, K’alemi Dene School, and St. Joseph School, are using wood pellet boilers.
We’ve signed an MOU with NWT diamond mines to increase efforts to get more NWT residents working at the mines and bring more mine workers to live in the NWT.
We’ve established a new policy and program for support for entrepreneurs and economic development.
We continue to move ahead with the full implementation of the framework for consultations with aboriginal governments and organizations.
We’re moving closer to realizing the Mackenzie Gas Project.
And we’ve submitted a proposal to Canada to bring resolution to the devolution file on our terms.
On the ground, in our communities, we’re doing things that make a difference in the lives of our residents.
We’ve reached an agreement with the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors for the construction and operation of a Territorial Dementia Centre.
We’ve introduced ice-spraying technology to speed the opening of ice roads in the Beaufort-Delta resulting in opening for the Dempster Highway Peel River crossing and Arctic Red River crossing approximately three weeks earlier than usual.
We’ve partnered with Canada to upgrade water treatment and sewage projects in Fort Smith, Hay River, and Fort Simpson under the Canada-NWT Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.
We’ve successfully implemented the Affordable Housing Initiative, with more than 450 units built to date, with more units to build during the 2009-2010 construction year.
We’ve received greater than our per capita share of new federal housing investments, evidenced by recent federal announcements of a second $50 million investment in NWT housing, and our share of the $1 billion fund for public housing renovations.
We’ve increased investment in the quality of our housing stock through investments in CARE and renovations to public housing.
We’ve opened victim services offices in Aklavik, Paulatuk, Behchoko, Gameti, and Whati, with a new Sachs Harbour outreach position in Inuvik.
We’ve re-opened the Sachs Harbour RCMP detachment. Officers have been hired to police Gametì and Wrigley from nearby communities while infrastructure is being put in place.
We’ve taken innovative approaches to our fuel purchase and transportation requirements that allow us to reduce fuel costs in our communities, as Mr. Miltenberger announced yesterday in the budget.
I believe it is too easy to send the wrong message to ourselves, to our constituents, and to the rest of the country. Not everything we do will find favour with everyone, but it is incumbent on us as elected representatives of our residents to determine the best course forward for the Territory.
There are good times ahead for our Territory, despite the current economic turmoil. All Members need to re-commit to the initial spirit of collaboration we expressed at the start of this Assembly to achieve the best for our residents.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bob McLeod.
