Date
May
11
2007
Members Present
ITEM 1: PRAYER
Assembly Members
Debates of May 11, 2007 (day 5)
Topics
Statements
Member’s Statement On Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing Agreement-In-Principle
Michael McLeod
Deh Cho
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again today, I want to commend the group for signing the AIP.
Speaker:
AN HON. MEMBER
Hear! Hear!
Michael McLeod
Deh Cho
Mr. Speaker, they showed real leadership. This is something that has been a long time in the works. We have to start somewhere and we have a foundation in place. Now we have to build something on top of that. Some may feel that this AIP was rushed into. Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that this process has been going on for over 30 years. I know we operate on NWT time up here, but 30 years is not rushing into anything.
---Laughter
We might not have all the groups on board right now, Mr. Speaker, but I am sure the door is being left open for them to sign when they feel like they are ready to contribute to the future of the NWT.
The amount of money we lose, Mr. Speaker, still causes me a great deal of concern. Many projects could be partially funded by a lot of this money, including a road to the gravel source in Tuk. My colleague from Tuk makes a legitimate case for a road, but still nothing. Perhaps if Tuk was in the southern NWT, they might get something.
Speaker:
AN HON. MEMBER
Hear! Hear!
Michael McLeod
Deh Cho
This issue, Mr. Speaker, continues to anger and upset me. I want what is good for the people of Inuvik Twin Lakes. I want what is good for the Inuvialuit because I am an Inuvialuit. I also want what is best for the Northwest Territories because I live here and I do plan on being here until they plant me. Mr. Speaker, it upsets me because I do not like having something that is rightfully ours taken from us. People get taken to court for taking something that is not rightfully theirs. I think it is a position we have to take sometimes.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I again commend the leadership for starting the foundation with the signing of the AIP. I urge the remaining leadership to join the cause and add their voice to the voice of the NWT because it will give it so much more strength. We have to tell Ottawa, Mr. Speaker, that enough is enough. We won’t stand by anymore while they continue to pick our pockets. Thank you.
---Applause