Joe Handley

Mr. Speaker, when this incident we are talking about with Mr. Zoe came to my attention, I, within hours, sent a letter to all the Members to advise them of what had happened. I could have just talked to Mr. Zoe or written a note to him and dealt with it privately. I chose to apprise all of the Members because I thought it was serious. Mr. Speaker, I have also told the Members here that if there is an infraction of this and if Mr. Zoe doesn’t live up to his word or other Cabinet Ministers don’t live up to their word, then there is no toleration at all. In that case, I don’t have the authority...

Mr. Speaker, I believe that the action that I have taken and the action that Mr. Zoe has taken certainly indicates that we view this issue very, very seriously. I believe that what has been done to date not only upholds our ethical standards, but is also showing responsibility towards ourselves as Cabinet Ministers and as MLAs. I want to make it very clear that there will be absolutely no tolerance from here on, and I have said that to many of the Members. I have told Mr. Zoe, I have told all of Cabinet, that there will be no further acceptance of this. Mr. Speaker, I don’t want to get...

Mr. Speaker, if there was to be another incident like this I would deal with the incident, but I don’t think resigning is the way to deal with it. But absolutely, as I told you, I will deal with it.

Mr. Speaker, I’ve outlined some of the actions I have taken. I am doing another letter as a reminder to all of Cabinet that we cannot tolerate these kinds of incidents. So that will be going out today or tomorrow. I assure the Member that I do view this very seriously. We maintain high ethical standards within this House and certainly within Cabinet, and if there is another such incident then, as I have told many Members, that I will then make fairly strong recommendations to this House.

Mr. Speaker, I want to remind us that it is not me who makes that decision, it is the House that has...

Mr. Speaker, I am sorry that these comments were made. I have tremendous respect for all people, no matter where they have come from who live and work in the Northwest Territories, and without any hesitation at all I can say that I apologize to anyone who may be offended by things that are said by individuals in Cabinet, or individuals anywhere. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, certainly we will be looking at this as time permits. Our statistics in terms of employment of people, whether its indigenous aboriginal persons or indigenous non-aboriginal persons, or disabled people, or women in management, are important to us, and we certainly want to have employment that reflects our population. So, yes, this will be looked at by the 15th Assembly. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the nature of the comments. I am not aware of the exact wording of the comments. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, no, this government has not had an opportunity yet to review the affirmative action policy. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated earlier, Mr. Zoe has indicated to me that he is prepared to take steps to ensure this will not happen. I have also indicated to Mr. Zoe that I will do whatever I can to support him. I think all of us feel that we want to resolve this issue. Exactly what that is, that’s something I have to say that is a personal matter with Mr. Zoe and I really urge Members to talk to him privately. I don‘t think Mr. Zoe wants to lay out exactly what he is planning to do in the House here. That is a private, personal matter. It’s not an easy one and, Mr. Speaker, I say to Members...

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Zoe has indicated to me that he is taking personal time to do this. Yes, he will be away. Whether he chooses to do it during his holiday time or other days off, then that’s something that needs to be clarified further. Thank you.