“I'm filling time with praise. I want everyone to agree with me. We should pass this bill quickly. The Sahtu people know what's best for them. They can govern themselves and decide what is best for their land and community. Passing this bill would affirm their right to self-government. We need to recognize their authority and let them make their own decisions. This will unlock new opportunities for them. Self-government means they can make decisions closer to home. It will mean more economic opportunities for them. This bill will create more stability and unlock more investment. It is good for everyone in the north. Thank you to everyone who got us to this point. Now let's pass this bill quickly.”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.
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Final Self-Government Agreement for the Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got’įnę Act
A bill to give effect to a self-government agreement for a northern indigenous group. Members mostly talked about the bill's implications and details, with some discussion of other issues facing northern and indigenous communities.
“I want other people to know that I support indigenous self-government and land guardian programs. I want people to know that the land guardian program is good for jobs and the environment. I also want people to know about a new highway project and a mining company that wants to explore for copper. I want people to think I'm doing a good job as Minister.”
“I want to change the subject away from the stalled pipeline approval that you asked about. Instead I will say good things about a different project that I want to cheer for. Saying good things about the Mackenzie Valley Highway lets me look like I am helping the region and claim the government is making progress.”
“I want to make my colleague happy by asking her to say good things about the kind of process that created this bill. Talking about consultations first lets us both look like we're doing lots of hard work.”
“We did lots of work and then made some little changes. More groups agreed to it. I want the House to hurry up and pass it before summer.”
“I want to look like I'm doing something. But I won't actually do anything. The government is just watching.”
“I want my party to look good. I'm going to pretend this agreement is about defense and the north. Maybe then people will like the government more.”
“We need to pass this legislation quickly. It's important for their self-governance. They need to make their own laws and protect their language and culture. We promised this in a land claim agreement in 1993. This is the second of five communities seeking self-government. Let's get this done.”
“Thank you. You already explained why this bill is important. Let me ask you to repeat why it's important for them to make their own laws.”
“We support letting these groups make their own laws and elect their own leaders. We've already done it once before with another group and we're proud of that agreement. It will be great to see this community grow too.”
“I don't want to talk about property rights. Let's change the subject to these other agreements instead.”
“I want this bill to pass quickly. Will you help me pass other bills like it too?”
“I want to clarify your position. If a self-government agreement is only about social things like language and culture, but not about land and property, then will you support it?”
“If it's not about land, do you support self-government legislation? Or do you just want to argue?”
“I want you to clarify your position on self-government agreements. I'm trying to make you spell out your stance so I can respond to it.”
“I think we should all agree to say the day is over and go home now.”