Debates of October 25, 2006 (day 15)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today is an important topic we’re talking about, resource revenue and devolution. Since the 15th Assembly started we talked about this government trying to get a fair deal for the Northwest Territories for resource revenue. Apparently, like Mr. Ramsay said earlier, we’re into year three now and we still haven’t gotten close to a deal.

The Premier on occasion has travelled to Ottawa and spoken with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Indian Affairs, Jim Prentice, on issues such as this. Most of the time we hear on the radio that oh, the meeting went well. How well is well if you haven’t heard exactly what’s being discussed on this side?

Mr. Speaker, I have my background in terms of we’re going to get a deal during this Assembly. I don’t think we will. I’m not as confident as some of my colleagues here. I’m not as confident as the Premier. But we still have to sit down and make sure that our Premier will actually get down to Ottawa and, again like some of my colleagues said, with the aboriginal leaders. Sit down and negotiate a fair resource revenue deal. That has to take place first with the aboriginal people, and then take it to Ottawa. We can’t go on and say okay, look, something will come up before this term is over, but I encourage the leader, Mr. Premier, to go out there and get something done for us, for the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause