Date
October
26
2006
Members Present
ITEM 1: PRAYER
Assembly Members
Debates of October 26, 2006 (day 16)
Topics
Statements
Member’s Statement On GNWT Consultation Process For Regional And Community Governments And Individual Residents
Robert Villeneuve
Tu Nedhe
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I just want to talk about the consultation processes this government conducts with the regional governments, our community governments and any individual residents in the NWT. Mr. Speaker, we have all heard of a lack of comprehensive consultations and the lackadaisical attitude of taking proper direction from community organizations and residents in outlying communities by our bureaucracy.
We often hear about the issues and concerns during these consultation meetings falling on deaf ears. We are not reaching the proper authorities; for example, the Ministers’ offices on actions or initiatives to consider in order to resolve many concerns being brought forward. What people have learned, Mr. Speaker, is that many residents and community organizations are now demanding something in writing from any government official who travels to their community promising houses, resources or better programs to residents.
Mr. Speaker, this important lesson has been a result of many empty promises and also to ensure more accountability by our government and our bureaucracy to our northern residents. Now we have a situation in my constituency where a government official acted on an informal telephone conversation where an arrangement seems to make sense, but he also needed the proper authority in writing from a community council in order to be legitimately acknowledged and approved. This was never received, therefore not approved. The situation has now put more tension and strain between these community organizations and residents on the efforts to work together.
Mr. Speaker, this community has been hindered by many lines being drawn in the sand for many years, thus resulting in many development initiatives that may improve the lives of residents not receiving full community support, therefore never becoming a reality.
This action by government has drawn another line in the sand and I want our government to know that they cannot act in haste or without proper authority, especially when trying to resolve issues related to the distribution of government dollars to various community organizations that are often working in a very volatile and sensitive political environment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause