Greetings. Once again we gather to address people’s priorities. The world is a different place since we last saw it in October, 2008. While the current recession brings hard times, the financial world will rebuild in just a few years. In contrast, the environmental and social deficits we are accumulating will last generations and can take hundreds of years to rebuild. Mr. Speaker, we have the opportunity to begin to do things differently. To do so, we need good leadership and a new approach that will communicate and serve the best of our basic human values.
Mr. Speaker, a good government and good leadership begin with good communication. Unfortunately, this government’s communication record is a crime against our people. It has become so atrocious that it now begs some kind of final resolution. From the vast upheaval over planned reductions that we failed to implement, the program reviews we have yet to see, the multi-year notice to affected employees, and now to the fiascos on supplementary health benefits, the reform of boards and agencies, and the Opportunities Fund, we have put our people through unnecessary and painful angst, fear and frustration.
The lack of good communication can be caused by a variety of factors: a lack of regard for the public and Regular MLAs, a lack of vision on which to provide context and direction for action, a lack of in-depth information and analysis and a lack of appreciation for the simple need to communicate. All of these unfortunate reasons may have been a plague during the past 14 months, but I can assure Mr. Speaker and the public, these reasons are both often and precisely pointed out by Members on this side of the House and, of course, the public.
Northerners are not adverse to change. In fact, they want to get things done and they want us to act on the critical issues before us. However, we want to see that their government is operating on the basis of well-researched and well-conveyed communication and with real opportunities to participate in meaningful ways. When we sweep away universal coverage of our senior supplementary health benefits, then we move to a fully income tested system of determining benefits without giving people a voice, we fail in our work.
This government needs renewal. We need to gel. We need good leadership. Mr. Speaker, let’s get it together and begin to meet the expectations of our people. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.
