NWT MP talks one year in power
Michael McLeod declines to assign himself a grade for his performance so far, adds Trudeau Liberals deserve an 'A'
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Just over a year into his term, the NWT MP Michael McLeod will not give himself a grade on his performance, but added he would give his government an "A."
McLeod said he would not assign himself a mark until the end of his term. He added however he believes he has succeeded in giving the territory a higher profile in Ottawa and has convinced his government to give the NWT more attention than it has received in the past. McLeod pointed to announcements of more than $300 million in investments in the territory since the Trudeau government swept to power on Oct. 19 of last year.
"We're getting a lot of exposure and I feel that the NWT is back on the radar again in terms of the government's recognition of what we need," McLeod said.
"We got the Northern residents tax deduction increased by 33 per cent in the budget. We were pushing to have that done right away. We didn't know if it was going to happen in that budget or the following one. Or the one after that."
McLeod said $27 million for housing in the NWT is another example of how the federal government is working to improve the life of NWT residents.
He added the government's approach to dealing with indigenous people has also taken a step forward during the Liberals' time in power.
"We saw last March the government signed a United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples," McLeod said.
"We also committed to implementing all the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Report.
The last budget allocated $40 million over two years toward the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls."
McLeod said the fact that several cabinet ministers have taken the time to come to the territory over the past year is another example of how he has convinced the Liberal government to sit up and take notice of the NWT.
Federal Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna, Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan, Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi and Minister of Democratic Institutions Maryam Monsef have all made trips to the city since the Liberals came to power.
McLeod said work is being done by both the feds and the territorial government to determine how best to implement a carbon tax in the NWT - or whether it has to happen here at all.
"We have a two-year window to develop a plan - a strategy that could help us move forward. We've been very clear to the Liberal government that we need them to come on as a partner," McLeod said.
"We think there needs to be a real focus on renewable energy and changing the way we generate power and heat our facilities. There is also the need to make sure that (carbon pricing) will not place an undo burden on the people of the NWT because we already have a high cost of living."
McLeod said he also feels his time as a member on the Indigenous caucus has also been productive and although he said he is not allowed to disclose exactly what goes on there, he feels it is gaining traction within the government.
"We are providing oversight but we also work as a sounding board for the different departments. They'll come to us when they want an opinion," McLeod told Yellowknifer.
"We also have a lot of individual MPs who come to talk to us."
McLeod said he expects to hear early in the new year on whether the federal government will commit funding for an all-season road to Whati. He added he is not sure when a decision will come on funding for the completion of the Mackenzie Valley Highway.
McLeod's office provided documentation to Yellowknifer showing the Liberal government has committed $600,000 this year to Yellowknife that will go toward the Homeless Partnering Strategy.
The feds have also contributed about $16 million for water and sewer replacement, sewage station rehab and replacement under the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund. The feds have also committed up to $12.9 million for a proposed new swimming pool in the city as well as $320,000 for transit infrastructure.
McLeod said overall, he is pleased with his performance so far.
"I'd like to think that I am a good MP. They key has been in the North that we are all working together," he said.
