Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Later today I will have questions for the Minister of ITI regarding diamonds.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On October 7, 1897, Frederick Haultain had taken the reins of the Northwest Territories as its first Premier. We lost that dream on September 1, 1905. Then Prime Minister Wilfred Laurier, who happens to be my favourite Prime Minister not because he’s liberal but for a lot of reasons, took away the rights of the Northwest Territories’ people to govern itself. For 109 years we have been waiting for home rule to finally return to the Northwest Territories where it belongs in the hands of the elected people of the Northwest Territories. Home rule has finally come home and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve pulled out my book that I treasure very closely. Although I’ll be speaking both for and against the point of order, but to make reference, I think the point of order makes sense, by all means, and I give credit to Minister Jackson who has brought it to the attention of the Assembly. Unfortunately, the rules call upon us to call a point of order at the earliest convenience. Therefore, it probably should have been called right after the prayer.

The only thing I will add is, I agree with the comments added by the Premier that it probably should have been done...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I will be speaking for myself and not necessarily for committee, although I chaired the committee that oversaw this. I want to use the occasion to thank the work from the committee members who got behind and supported this particular bill. They certainly deserve the credit on taking the position we did, which was this was something we could get behind. This brings our rules and regulations much in line with what the territorial government is doing in the sense of our act that controls and delegates and directs community governments across the Northwest Territories to...

Mr. Speaker, this protocol, as I highlighted, called the Highway Emergency Alerting Protocol, goes to ensure that all emergency responders understand the roles and responsibilities with respect to accidents. Of course, this is for accidents outside the community boundaries, to ensure training is available and community governments are deprived the opportunity to provide this type of rescue. I’ve been so informed that these protocols were ignored in the most recent accident. Is the Minister aware of the impacts of not following through on these types of protocols?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have questions for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. My question is related to the Highway Emergency Alerting Protocols. Can the Minister give an update or an explanation as to what that protocol is and how it’s implemented? Thank you.

Madam Chair, thank you very much. The Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure met on March 5, 2013, to review Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Territorial Parks Act. Following the clause-by-clause review, a motion was carried to report Bill 2 to the Assembly as ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.

This concludes the committee’s general comments on Bill 2. Individual Members may have additional questions or comments as we proceed. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. I am reading the recommendations.

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that the Chief Electoral Officer make voter lists available to candidates in a more timely manner, and in a standard electronic format which can be manipulated.

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that the Chief Electoral Officer undertake research on voter identification requirements, and report back to the committee with options for amending the current requirements to make them more appropriate for NWT communities.

The Standing Committee on Rules and...

Mr. Speaker, since 2007 has the department had the occasions to use this protocol and what occasions? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said yesterday, in 2003 there was a fatal accident in the Chan Lake area. What that did was it caused the government to review some of its policies. In 2003 they came forward with a response which further developed in recommendations in 2004 and, of course, a follow-up report on ground ambulance services in 2006.

MACA does do policy development and certainly protocols call upon a measure called Highway Emergency Alerting Protocols.

I will be asking the Minister of MACA questions later today. Thank you.