Debates of August 23, 2007 (day 16)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I’d just like to use my last Member’s statement here today to express my gratitude and appreciation to the many people I’ve worked with here during my tenure here in the 15th Assembly. Firstly, I’d like to thank my constituents of Tu Nedhe for electing me in 2003-2004 to undertake the very important and challenging task of representing their interests in this unique system of consensus government we have here in the NWT. Secondly, thank you to all of my colleagues here in this House for all of the wonderful experiences and advice on leadership and politics that they have provided me over the last four years; some good and some not so good. Mr. Speaker, I have to point out that the level of respect and dignity that everyone shows to one another in this Assembly is second to none, and I appreciate everybody for that.

I have to also mention the excellent work and work ethic that the Legislative Assembly staff have continually upheld without reservation as we, as an Assembly, could not function without. Many thanks to them for that. I would also like to thank the support staff: the EAs, the CAs, and all the secretaries that have come and gone. Also, all the Members and Ministers for all their support, cooperation and the serious consideration that they provide to resolving the many concerns and issues that are brought to their attention by NWT residents through their MLAs.

Last but not least, Mr. Speaker, I really have to thank my family and the many friends for their continuous support and encouragement that they have shown me for the past four years. I am deeply indebted to them for that and for showing me how the love of a family member, a husband, wife or partner, or just a hug of a child, can make all of this politics seem so trivial, but at the same time so very important to everybody in our pursuit of happiness.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I’d like to wish Members who are not pursuing re-election all the best in whatever pursuits that they have and wish all the Members that are seeking re-election, like myself, good luck and I look forward to continue on working with you all in the next Assembly in this fast, exciting, growing economy here in the NWT that I always call home. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Obviously today is the last day we’ll all be together as the 15th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, it’s both a sad day, but also an exciting time for many of us as we head off, some seeking re-election, others seeking new pursuits in life, and I wanted to use my last statement in this House to say goodbye and to say good luck to all of my colleagues that are here today.

Mr. Speaker, I’ve learned something from each and every one of you over the past four years and I’ll miss the team that we have assembled here today. Although, I doubt very much Cabinet is going to miss me as much as I will miss them, Mr. Speaker.

---Laughter

I hope to see many of you back here in six weeks to carry on the important work of the Government of the Northwest Territories and it’s been an honour and a privilege to serve with each and every one of you.

I want to again thank my constituents for all of their support and encouragement over the past four years. Kam Lake is a riding that I thoroughly enjoyed representing. Kam Lake is undeniably the economic hub of our capital city, home to an industrial park, world-class dog mushers and sled dogs, two schools -- Ecole St. Joseph and N.J. MacPherson -- and, with the recently adjusted boundaries, the home to just over 2,700 people. It is a riding that I am going to again be seeking to be the MLA for in the upcoming election. I am very thankful for the opportunity the constituents of Kam Lake gave me four years ago, and I am looking forward to seeing and speaking with them in the very near future.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, this has the feeling today of being the last day of school. While it may seem like our last day of school, the real schools will be starting again soon in Yellowknife and in our communities. I want to wish all of our young people and the teachers heading back to school this fall a successful and enjoyable school year. Again, I want to wish everybody good luck and good bye, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to close today’s 15th Assembly statement by the same way I came into the Assembly almost four years ago. I have some special thank yous and acknowledgements. Mr. Speaker, although we all mention several times we can never mention everyone, there are certain people that I think that I am going to take the risk and highlight their performance. Mr. Speaker, the Members’ secretary, Verna Currimbhoy, has been an incredible support. She has always been there to help every one of us; that is the Regular Members, Mr. Speaker. She works diligently and always worries and makes sure everything is good and handled quite well. Mr. Speaker, her presence upstairs has been a huge asset to this Assembly.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, an MLA doesn’t do their work alone. Sometimes, when you are knocking on those Ministers’ doors, all you keep getting is shut doors and someone is ignoring your call.

…(inaudible)…

However, Mr. Speaker, it is important to point out the executive assistants, some past and present that I think have made an exceptional impact on some of the work that I have been able to succeed with. Mr. Speaker, I would like to make special mention to Katherine Robinson who worked for the honourable Mr. Dent for some time.

---Applause

Allen Stanzell, with his keen eye for detail in getting back to me.

---Applause

Mr. Doug Pon has worked for Minister McLeod for all the way through.

---Applause

They are fine, outstanding individuals. They made the work here so much more successful and rewarding with their assistance.

Mr. Speaker, the Legislative Assembly security staff are stalwarts: Ray, Dennis and Ian. They have always been great out front here. They are an important part of this Assembly.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, I can’t forget to mention the valuable support the constituents of Yellowknife Centre have offered. I have always appreciated them bringing forward their concerns to me, from their advice to sometimes even their criticism on how this government should be doing better. Without that support, MLAs would be lost without that guidance. So thank you to them.

Mr. Speaker, Coady Summerfield has been my constituency assistant for the last two and a half years. His steadfast support and attention to detail has always been appreciated. Every smart man…Mr. Speaker, may I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement?

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, as I was trying to say, every smart man always makes special mention of his wife, because she is certainly the backbone of everything. To my two sons, McKinley and Hudson, although I won’t be seeing you much for the next six weeks, I will still be thinking of you every day.

To all the Members here, thank you for your support. To all the constituents of Yellowknife Centre, thank you for your support, and good luck to everyone. It has been an exciting roller coaster working with everyone. I am sure I will see everyone back except for the retirees, that is. I will see everyone back in six weeks. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is not too often, since becoming a Member of the 15th Legislative Assembly and serving as a Minister in this government, I have had an opportunity to stand up and reflect on the constituents of Inuvik Boot Lake or the work that I have done on their behalf. I felt this morning and my wife reminded me as she is back home and said, other people are doing it. You need to get up and say something as well.

I tend to try to leave things for back home and talk to the folks there, but I want to say to the people of Inuvik Boot Lake I have to most sincerely thank them for their support of sending me back here to be their representative in this government. It is truly an honour and a privilege to serve the people of the Territories because I do believe, as I first came here back three terms ago, that this is the people’s government. The way we operate here in a consensus style is about the people and we represent their interests when we have our debates in this forum. That is something I look forward and have to say thank you for their support. If the good people of Inuvik Boot Lake want to see me back here again, I look forward to their continued support, as I hope to return and serve the people of Inuvik Boot Lake and the people of the territory and returning here possibly for a fourth time.

More importantly, Mr. Speaker, I think along with the people that we represent, whether it is…I remember some grannies, as they say -- but not from Nahanni but from Inuvik Boot Lake -- in the way they talk to you; the elders of our community in giving you advice and telling you that you are doing a good job. Sometimes I have gone back home after being in this setting and feeling that I truly was starting to wear the job. As some people would joke, I entered rooms with a dark cloud over my head, the black hat and the black cape to give the bad news. But, Mr. Speaker, when I go back home and they remind me you are doing a good job; keep working and keep representing us. It is good that I can come back here with a renewed spirit and drive. I hope that continues.

Mr. Speaker, when we are down here, as we have heard around this table, we can’t do the job by ourselves. It takes a lot of commitment by other people in our areas. I have never done this as I can recall in the term of a Member of the Assembly, but I am going to ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. For the first time, you may conclude your statement, Mr. Roland.

---Laughter

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. There may be a couple in there, but I always prided myself in sticking to two and a half minutes. I thought I might be able to do that, but I guess I have been a politician for awhile and I have gone on longer as the hair has gone whiter. I just want to say, without the staff that we have to help us do our job, to help us keep us on time, keep us on track and keep us moving, it would be a very long, arduous process. I have to thank them. From the front line staff I have had this term to staff I have had in Inuvik, they definitely help us do our job and help represent the people that we are here to represent as well. Without them, the messages can be long and slow. We need to get back to the people we represent.

Mr. Speaker, as we have heard around here -- Members of the Assembly, many of us with families, some who have just got a hint of families -- as we started, I can recall in my first term as a Member when one of my children was in a bunting bag. The second term, there was another child in a bunting bag. This last term, no more bunting bags. I can say if I come back this time around, for sure no more bunting bags.

---Laughter

As Minister of Finance, I have done my part to ensure that, for the population statistics of the NWT, we get more money.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, seriously, without our families and the support of our families, we would not be able to do our jobs. I have to say to my wife, Shawna, without her support -- and my going back for forgiveness from time to time of missing times -- and respect, that this definitely wouldn’t be worthwhile doing the job without family support. So I thank her for that.

Mr. Speaker, it is definitely a privilege to serve the Members in this Assembly and the people of the Territories. One thing I used to sign off with, I will sign off with one more time. Greetings back to my wife and children in Inuvik. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, it’s the last day for oral questions for me in this House. Can you hear the sigh of relief?

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, the last day as I work in this House I would like to reflect a bit on the past 16 years and first of all, though, pay tribute to my role models, and I had two; they were my parents. Both were very politically active. My mother was a tremendous organizer and backroom strategist; while my dad was the politician. I learned from them. I learned the importance of applying common sense, listening to constituents and the public, and communicating. They taught me the importance of integrity and a principled approach. Their training has stood me very well in my work here and I think would stand anybody well as they seek to do the job in our Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, I’d also like to very quickly extend some thanks. Again, I’d like to thank my constituents. It’s been an incredible honour that they have chosen me for 16 years to represent them. I’d like to thank particularly my Cabinet colleagues for the last four years. It’s been a very interesting and exciting time to be on Cabinet and be in government in this Assembly.

I’ve enjoyed working with the Members of the Assembly, some for four years, some for eight years, some for 12 years. Yes, Mrs. Groenewegen, some for 12 years. I know you’re hoping to come back as the dean of the Assembly, but we’ll see. I hope they don’t call you the oldest Member as they have been calling me.

---Laughter

I’d also like to, again, thank the Assembly staff. They have done a tremendous job of making sure that we could do our work here in this House. My ministerial office staff and constituency assistants over the years and, again, particularly my family. I was really surprised to see my wife, Eileen, and son, Tyler, in the gallery today.

---Applause

I’m sure they came just to make sure that I didn’t change my mind and announce that I was running again. I also thought I’d better mention it now, Mr. Speaker, because I know that my wife doesn’t like to be recognized and I think she might sneak out before recognition of visitors in the gallery, so I thought I’d better say something now.

I’d like to wish all of my colleagues good luck, whether you’re seeking re-election or retiring to other pursuits as I am. It’s been fun working with everybody here; I really enjoyed it. Mr. Speaker, it’s been an extremely interesting time to be in government, in this Assembly and I’m extremely thankful that I’ve had the opportunity for this public service.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I’d like to thank my constituents in the Mackenzie Delta and the people of the Mackenzie Delta for allowing me to serve for the last 12 years. More importantly, my constituency staff which included Liz Wright, Sue Ellen Wilson, Elaine Blake from Tsiigehtchic, and Jean Pascal from Aklavik. Mr. Speaker, in regards to the support that we all get as Members of this House, we can never forget our community leaders, our elders, and, more importantly, our constituents who are the ones that drive us and ensure the reason that we’re here is to serve them.

Mr. Speaker, it has been a real honour over the last 12 years in this House in regards to dealing with issues such as the water rise that we had to battle with from floods in our communities, to the crisis of programs and services being delivered. More importantly, Mr. Speaker, again working with our community leaders and our community municipalities to find solutions by working through communicating with each other and finding solutions to these problems. More importantly, working with Members in this House along with our government.

Mr. Speaker, in the last 12 years of this House, there were the four amigos and I think the four amigos, like I mentioned, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Miltenberger, Mr. Roland and the dean of the House, Mr. Dent. Again, I’d like to wish Charles all the best in regards to his new career in regards to getting out of politics. I think most people think that’s the easy part, but the problem is: don’t get back into it. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our outgoing colleagues along with Mr. Bell, Baby Bell as he’s better known, and I’d like to thank him for his hard work and his efforts that he has put into a lot of initiatives in this House. Again, I’d like to wish him all the best in his endeavours wherever it takes him. Along with the Premier, Mr. Handley; under your leadership you have made a difference to the Northwest Territories and the people of the Northwest Territories and also for bringing our communities, our regions and our community together. Again, that’s a challenge on its own. So mahsi cho. Bill Braden, I’d like to thank you for the opportunity for serving with you. Again, I’d like to wish you all the best. I can always recall all those many, many questions that you asked. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude you statement, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Braden, again, I’d like to wish you all the best in your endeavours in moving forward. Again, it was an honour serving with you but, more importantly, responding to the many, many questions that you’ve asked over the last while. But I think it’s more importantly your wisdom, your knowledge and the importance of the issues that you took to this table in trying to find solutions for the people of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I’d also like to thank the staff of the Legislative Assembly along with the staff throughout government, because without them we know our jobs would not be completed.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Members of this Legislative Assembly for giving me a chance to serve as the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly for a short term, and I would like to thank Mr. Speaker for taking on that role and leading us to this point.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the staff that I had in the different roles that I played along with the Clerks of the Legislative Assembly, with Mr. Hamilton at the reign and now Mr. Mercer, Mr. Inch and Mr. Schauerte. I think it’s you people that make us look good and think a lot of times people have to realize that it’s the people in the back rooms that are doing all the work. All we’re doing is playing to the cameras.

---Laughter

Again, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my staff Clarence Emberley, Corrine Kruse, and, more importantly, the many people I worked with in the different departments: Workers’ Compensation Board, the Power Corporation and the Housing Corporation, for all their efforts. So with that, mahsi cho. Thank you.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker…(English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, I would just like to say that back in 2003 during the election, I was glad to be elected to the Legislature. At that time I didn’t have good use of my aboriginal language and people always said go to the communities, go visit the elders, and that’s what I’ve done. Now I can visit them, drink and have tea with them and listen to them and to their stories. I receive lots of guidance from them. I am very happy to say that there is an actual granny from Nahanni. I have spoken with her and she is very happy, Mr. Speaker, to see that in some small way, I guess, that her voice has been heard. I pride myself and the community that that’s how our consensus government works. We’re able to go to the communities and listen to the people and sit with them and move their issues and their concerns forward and bring them to this Legislature.

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to say, as well, I had the honour and privilege of being on the Regular Members' side for three years. I’ve gained lots of experience on that side working with the Regular Members and I’d like to tell them now good luck in their terms to come and the things they’re about to do, Mr. Speaker.

As well, I also had the honour and privilege to serve one year in this Legislature as a Minister of our government. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. In my one year as a Minister, I’ve learned quite a bit and that bureaucracy has a lot to play with here too. I would also like to share my funny story. My first act as a Minister in this government was to sign a letter to Mr. Kevin Menicoche, MLA for Nahendeh.

---Laughter

I said, well, what’s going on and they told me that I have to finish a loop. But I, too, would just like to say goodbye to Mr. Handley, Mr. Dent and Mr. Bell, who I’ve had the honour and pleasure of working with and wish them the best on their endeavours. As well, to Mr. Braden who I’ve had the pleasure of working with too. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wasn’t going to say anything today either because I’m not good at saying goodbye, but I, like Mr. McLeod, didn’t want to be the odd man out and this would be pretty obvious, especially after he said that.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, almost eight years ago I decided to leave my job as a deputy minister after 14 years and run for office to represent Weledeh. I used to joke, I said I did it because I wanted the food, because I heard that these people ate shrimp and all sorts of things in here.

---Laughter

So I found out that that really wasn’t worthwhile. So I said, well, I did it because I wanted to make a difference in the world and that seemed kind of lofty and pretentious. So I gave that one up.

You know, as people talked to me in Weledeh and said, well, why do you want to run, we think you should run, but why do you want to, and I said, well, because I enjoy working with people. Certainly to me the most satisfying part of this job has been when you’re able to help a person. It’s something as simple as helping somebody to get their son’s employment straightened out and you can tell that they’re very thankful. Those things are more important to me than is building a bridge or something, and I hope to be remembered for those kind of things where we made a difference to I’ll say the little people that we all represent and I hope we can continue to do that in future governments. That’s what government is about.

Mr. Speaker, I think the hardest part for me has been when you’re not able to help people, you just have to say no. That’s hard, especially when it may seem small to us but it’s really important to someone. Again, it may be a very small thing, but that’s the hardest part. The second hardest part, of course, is we all have had tough days and when you have to open a newspaper and you know it’s not good, maybe oh my God, that’s got to be one of the toughest pieces of this job. Certainly the nicest part is when you’re able to anticipate it’s going to be good news and then you get fooled.

I want to thank everybody here. I want to thank all of you, Mr. Braden, Mr. Dent, everybody, the people who are not running again, Mr. Bell, but those who are coming back as well. You’ve been great people to work for and the thing that I’ve appreciated most in here is the honesty and the openness with which people ask questions, make statements and so on. I believe that what you say is what you mean and I’ve certainly tried to operate…

Mr. Handley, your time for Member’s statements has expired.

Can I seek consent to conclude my statement? Thank you.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the leaders across the Territories that I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and that’s everybody from chiefs and mayors and so on, to Nellie, to Fred, to Frank, to all the people up and down the valley and in Yellowknife, Mayor Van Tighem and everyone.

I want to thank the people in Weledeh in particular. I hope I have not disappointed you over the past eight years. I think there’s been great improvements in the very diverse, very dynamic and very vibrant constituency.

My friends; my old friend Michel Paper, I have to mention him. He’s a great man and he’s a man I’ve always enjoyed meeting with and talking to. Particularly Hilda. Hilda has been in this Legislative Assembly longer than any other person and I know she’s going to be staying on because lots of people will want her to work with them because she’s a great person and a great source of advice to Rick, to Lisa, to the others who have worked with me.

And last of all to my wife, Theresa. I don’t know what it is going to be like if I hang around the house too much. I think she will get pretty tired of me pretty fast. She will be wanting me to get out of there and go get a job or something. To her, I look forward to the days that we have to spend together and do stuff around the house and so on, or whatever we are going to be doing. We will see how that works out.

---Laughter

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Handley. The Chair has noticed that Members on my right have been out of making Members’ statements for quite awhile because they have no idea what two and a half minutes is.

---Laughter