Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement both yesterday and certainly today, I talked about why Yellowknife is number one and certainly the Northwest Territories is number one when it comes to power rates. I’d like to ask the Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corp what relief he can provide Northerners for power bills. It is well beyond the reach of the normal working family who struggles through this.

What immediate relief can he start doing, especially in the Yellowknife region where power bills are costing people everything? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that we report progress.

---Carried

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the job that the House Leader has to do and I say that with great respect. He’s doing his job. As far as his challenge under 23(k) and (l), I think he’s in error and I’ll say why.

In the House yesterday, I will quote from unedited Hansard, “That was my intent when I said I apologize to this House sincerely and fully, and with that, I withdraw my remarks. My apologies for missing that last piece.” Of course, it also goes on, “It was not intended in any other manner.”

Yesterday I pointed out to the public who’s following this particular issue, yes, I did post...

Has the Minister of MACA ever gone to the FMB Cabinet table to fight for 911 and is he able to prove that for a fact? A lot of Northerners in this city and across the territory all feel that this issue continues to get dusted off and ignored. Thank you.

Thank you. Maybe the Minister could elaborate. The 911 issue has been brought up no less than 13 occasions in this Legislature and it was always hinging on being able to reach out to the communities and cell phone services. So I’d like the Minister to actually explain to this House what does he mean by he’s looking into this. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think we’re going to fight over Karen here because I thought she lives downtown. With that said, she is certainly worthy of the prize to fight for; she is such a great lady. I want to start off by recognizing Karen Wright-Fraser. She is known for a lot of things, not particularly because she worked with me a long time ago, but she is a talented artist in her own right and very well renowned. Her skill is amazing and she has great talent at keeping her traditional life.

The other constituent that I’d like to acknowledge, and who has been acknowledged several times...

My apologies, Mr. Speaker. That was my intent when I said I apologize to this House sincerely and fully, and with that, I withdraw my remarks. My apologies for missing that last piece. It was not intended in any other manner.

The Finance Minister is the one who has to carry this file and it’s unfortunate that he has to carry this file, which really isn’t his file to carry. It should have been handled, rightly so, by the Building Society. If they had provided a letter saying they supported this or not…They weren’t kept in the dark. To suggest that they are coming to the dinner is almost like the spider saying to the fly, come to dinner. I’m sorry, making them culpable by saying they will be there by dinner, don’t worry, we’re all one, doesn’t cut it for me. I don’t think it’s doing our job.

I shame all the MLAs who...

Sorry, Mr. Speaker. It’s hard to hear you over Mrs. Groenewegen, who keeps talking. I missed what you said.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m glad to hear we have Mr. Dolynny on board with this particular matter and I’m happy to welcome anybody else who wants to join this side the of perspective.

Quite frankly, I’m concerned on how we’re proceeding. This is not directed to the stewardship or the mentorship of the Minister who has to carry this through, shepherd it through, this requirement and spending bill, which is, of course, the way we do business, which is, in essence, law; but the reality here I’m suffering from is the full appreciation when I hear the spirit and intent and a legal opinion and all...