Debates of March 10, 2005 (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to start off by officially saying that I will not be singing in any key…

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…but I do wish to rise and continue the spirit of serious disappointment in regard to non-northerners getting serious board appointments, jobs and lost opportunities that rightly belong to our northerners here.

Hear! Hear!

Mr. Speaker, I wish to add my voice to my colleague Mr. Robert Villeneuve, and I want to speak of my support for the affirmative action policy. I am in support of the policy. I am a firm believer of providing opportunities to our northerners, born and bred, to our long-time residents and minority groups, so we can get them involved in the process of governing and running the territory. Mr. Speaker, the NWT is a fine example where policies such as ours are beneficial to the development and prosperity of all regions and our people.

The diverse makeup of our shared territory and the recent developments that will continue for many years to come in our North speak to the needs of having true northerners representing our workforce and our people. New perspectives and unique outlooks can provide many benefits to our communities, especially coming from people we know very well and respect. Mr. Speaker, representation of our people is a defining principle in democracy and I think it is important that we ensure that our affirmative action policy reflects that.

Mr. Speaker, I am a strong proponent for the idea of a hand-up, not a handout. So I believe the affirmative action policy, correctly implemented, will continue to provide great opportunities for young people for employment, people representing their people, young generations seeing true northerners as role models and inspirations for goodwill and accomplishment.

Mr. Speaker, I want to say, in closing, an affirmative action policy is no more simply put than it recognizes our people, community supporting community and finally we’ve got it right. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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