Thank you.
Good day and welcome to the Northwest Territories. I want to start by thanking you for the opportunity to speak to you today on behalf of Alternatives North. Although my French isn't perfect, I do make an effort to speak the language. It's one way for me to honour my wife, who is from Quebec, and my in-laws. Speaking French also reminds me that a language is a gift from our ancestors. Many Aboriginals in the NWT try to preserve their own language. Unfortunately, this is a difficult, never-ending task.
Alternatives North is a social justice coalition operating in the Northwest Territories. Within our ranks are representatives of churches, labour unions, environmental organizations, women and family advocates, and anti-poverty groups. Alternatives North is known for its incredible work and analysis done largely by volunteers.
Today I want to speak about a vision. Today is my birthday, and permit me to dream out loud about what would be, to my mind, a perfect birthday present, not only for me but for my fellow citizens in the Northwest Territories.
I want to live in a territory where people can learn and relearn their traditions and languages and access services in those languages. I want to live in a territory where economic development does not mean that some people get rich and the poor get poorer. I want to live in a territory where addictions and other mental health issues are a thing of the past. I want to live in a territory where students graduate from high school with the literacy and numeracy skills to work and study anywhere they wish. I want to live in a territory where people in all communities have access to good quality, culturally appropriate day care.
Some of you may be thinking: what do these things have to do with economic development? I would say everything. Any economic development strategy would be incomplete without considering these factors. In terms of what we traditionally call economic development, I would like to see a territory that invests in the renewable resources sector and does not place all its bets on the non-renewable resource sector. I would like to live in a territory that gives people the option of living a more traditional lifestyle and working in the local economy that builds on the natural assets of the community. I would like to live in a territory where all people recognize the importance of preserving our natural capital. I would like to live in a territory that fully realizes the implications of climate change on our economic development and the need to ensure that, when we pursue economic development, we set an example for the world. If we want the world to change the way it does economic development, we must change as well.
I would be delighted to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you.