Debates of March 8, 2005 (day 51)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the past week, we have spoken many times of making history in the Northwest Territories in terms of devolution, revenue resource sharing and the Northern Strategy and becoming like a have province in the Northwest Territories. We often see, Mr. Speaker, that the federal government also plays the big role of big brother in many of the areas in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, in every aspect of our life, we are affected by government’s decisions. Mr. Speaker, we would like to know when the federal government will get out of the big brother’s role and allow us, as northern people, to make the right choice for us that is good for us in the North and not have the federal government dictate as to what type of decisions or appointments that they can make to boards that will affect our lives.

Mr. Speaker, over the course of many years, we have slowly moved away from the big brother concept, from 1867 to today. However, we often wonder if the federal government is still following the policies that reflect 1867, or in 1870 when the Northwest Territories was transferred from the British to Canada.

Mr. Speaker, when will this government again take a stand with the federal government and listen to the people in the North who will be affected by the federal government’s decisions such as the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board appointments? These appointments should be done in the North and for northern people who are affected greatly in these types of decisions. Thank you.

---Applause