Vulnerable populations need higher priority: Bonnetrouge
Deh Cho MLA hopeful talks made-in-NWT solutions for elder care, negotiations
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, October 29, 2015
DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE
Fort Providence carpenter and photographer Ronald Bonnetrouge has announced his intention to run for Deh Cho MLA.
Bonnetrouge's decision comes on the heels of a court order remanding former Deh Cho MLA Michael Nadli into custody for a period of 45 days.
Nadli has announced his intention to run again. At press time, Bonnetrouge was his only challenger.
Born and raised in Fort Providence, Bonnetrouge has worked in numerous capacities as a carpenter and builder. With the current economic downturn in the North, he says he sees an opportunity for hands-on economic activity to grow.
"This is an opportune time to concentrate and support developing our biomass industry to its full potential," he said, citing Fort Providence's use of wood pellet motor systems in schools and the health centre as one example of how that is already happening.
"(Those buildings) are seeing a significant decrease in fuel and power consumption. If the biomass initiative can be expanded ... think of the significant savings to the GNWT overall. I see that as having potential."
Bonnetrouge says he will advocate for a made-in-the-North solution to fundamental issues affecting the region, including health and housing. In particular, he plans to focus on vulnerable groups such as youth and elders.
"There are some youth who do very well and move on, but there are others who are left behind; the ones we tend to overlook and turn a deaf ear to their cries for help. They are part of our society and we should not ignore or give up on them too easily," he said.
"I believe these are future leaders who will take over managing the affairs of our communities ... (and) I will work to ensure funding sources, professional, cultural and regional resources are made available to develop programs which will groom them to become those future leaders."
Bonnetrouge called upon the territorial and federal governments to build partnerships and consult with communities about issues that arise, such as elder care and the fact elders want to live out their lives in their own homes.
"I believe solutions can be found. They prefer to live there rather than in an extended care facility or seniors home," he said. "The elders deserve to be treated with dignity, respect and compassion."
'GNWT has a duty'
One of the regional issues that motivated Bonnetrouge to run for MLA is the ongoing Dehcho Process.
He said it is time for the government to bargain in good faith and make efforts to understand the position of the Dehcho First Nation when it comes to negotiations.
"I believe the GNWT has a duty to the residents of the Deh Cho in these negotiations," he said.
"This has the potential to be economically beneficial for the GNWT and to the residents of the Northwest Territories, if they were to move on and resolve the outstanding issues they have."
The territorial government issued election writs on Oct. 26, opening up nominations for MLA candidates. Nominations close Oct. 30 and the territorial election is set for Nov. 23.
