Robert Hawkins

If it does say anything regarding fluoridation, would MACA be interested in updating the public as to why it is used and some of the comments provided on both sides? As I said earlier, I am in support of fluoridation and that’s not the issue, but there are many people out there concerned with its risks, so the public is informed a little about the argument on both sides and allow them to pursue their own. I think it’s in our best interests to provide good education to people on both sides of this argument and one should never be afraid to hear an opposing point of view.

I actually support the principle of fluoridation so it’s not a question of mine, but it is driven by a constituent concern, and I think it comes up every couple of years, so it’s always good to remind ourselves of this. Fluoridation is known as a potential carcinogenic element that we are putting into our water, but that said, it’s not as if we don’t know that. I guess in some ways, how do we communicate its risks and gains? I know the dental industry strongly supports that, fluoridation in our water, and that is part of the reason why I certainly support it. But that said, how do we...

Mr. Speaker, I want to know the nature of this discussion. Is he going to call them? Is he going to talk to them and say, “Hey, how ya doing?” I want to know if he’s going to take the public’s interest first, or is he going to protect the institution?

I have great respect for the RCMP. It’s not about that. Every one of those folks in red serge knows that I proudly believe in the work that they do. I also believe equally in the public’s safety.

So, I want to hear that the Minister is going to bring them this issue and provide them some instruction that we need to ensure the public’s safety...

Well, it took five questions to get to the point of saying he will have a discussion if the Member asks for a discussion.

So, the question for the Minister this time is: What is the Minister going to do to talk to the RCMP about updating their policy about informing the public about a predator on the loose? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, what’s the point of having a Minister if the Minister just says we’ll leave it up to the RCMP? Maybe the Minister can describe his accountability line with the RCMP when we work to ensure that our public safety is put first.

I certainly recognize the answer, which was, really, let’s find someone else to take responsibility and let’s pass the buck.

My question for the Minister is: What is he going to do to ensure that this policy is updated so the public’s interest, the public’s safety is protected over these types of predators who are let loose and prey upon the women, the children and even some men in our community?

If MACA becomes a new steward of the NGO Stabilization Fund, would there be an access point for people to be able to apply for capital projects like this where they offer programing? Again, focusing on our citizens of the disabled or senior community that have, you know, I don’t want to say no means of getting around, but I just want to use a broad statement if people will allow me to say they have little to no means of getting around the community.

So, would he see the NGO Stabilization Fund as a program available for people to apply for these types of opportunities? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As you’ve already heard, it’s Pink Shirt Day. We should be all yelling this and bellowing it in the highest of our trumpet voices and saying we need to help join in the fight to help eliminate bullying, all types of bullying, any type of bullying. It’s often a struggle carried alone, as we all know, but it should never be that way. Today many of us wear pink shirts or pink apparel to show our support for this cause.

Today is February 25th, just another day on the calendar for many. But there are others out there. Today is just another day in a long nightmare where they...

Mr. Speaker, I’m not hearing anything from that last answer that specifically points to what they’re doing. The Minister said there are so many initiatives. Name clearly one initiative that is engaged with the students to find out what’s important to them to encourage them to proceed towards graduation.

This is such an important thing that our students get a graduation certificate, because their future counts on it. We can only go backwards so far and hope and dream and pray and plead with them that they graduate, but we must get them involved in this solution.

Name one clear thing that the...

The Minister just said he would hope for 80 percent. Well, actually, I hope we have 100 percent graduation rates. Unlike the Minister had just said, I hope that every child has the future and that they work through graduation. You can’t get a job with the military or the RCMP these days that people used to go through with grades 10, 11 and 12. You need a minimum of Grade 12.

The specific question to the Minister of Education is: What incentives are put in through the education program to encourage our youth to fulfil their obligation by getting through the education system and all the way to...