Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m going to echo Mr. Yakeleya’s comments. I’ve never seen the two, Mr. Krutko and Ms. Lee, look happier together in my years. That said, I would like the occasion, as well as Premier McLeod, to recognize all our Pages. Specifically I would like to highlight Ally MacInnis. She’s a Page from Yellowknife Centre, and I want to thank her as well as all the Pages for their fine duties. They support us in our work and it’s a very valuable service that we treasure here.

As well as Mr. Bromley, I too wish to recognize Ben McDonald, who is a constituent of Yellowknife Centre. I...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the Members be permitted to use tablet computers during all proceedings in the Chamber with the exception of the following times: during prayer, at any time when the Commissioner is present in the Chamber, during the Speaker’s opening and closing remarks and rulings, during votes, and at any other time designated pursuant to instructions of the Speaker;

Further, that the use of tablet computers be subject to the existing convention that any electronic device used in the Chamber must be on silent mode at all times. Thank you...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just before I read the final motion, I once again want to thank the committee members for their efforts on this study, as well as I want to thank the Minister, Minister David Ramsay, and all the department who have helped facilitate this, including committee staff who helped facilitate a very good policy tour which I think will be helpful for years to come.

Madam Chair, that said, I move…

---Interjection

I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories undertake meaningful public consultation in the development of policy on hydraulic fracturing. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In listening to this motion today, it’s become clear that there’s still a lot of work that needs to be examined and considered before we can accept some type of judgment on this particular motion. So looking at the particular numbers before us at this moment, it looks as if it won’t pass.

I want to stress that many Members who are speaking in favour and against it are raising very important concerns. Some people are speaking against the motion saying that they will vote against it. They’re highlighting their caution, but they’re still echoing support for environmental...

I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 93(4) and move Committee Report 6-17(3) into Committee of the Whole for today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure is pleased to provide its Report on August 2012 Hydraulic Fracturing Study Tour: Towards a Policy Framework for Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northwest Territories and commends it to the House.

The emerging shale resource play in the central Mackenzie Valley has the potential to bring unprecedented economic activity and prosperity to the Sahtu region and the Northwest Territories as a whole. These oil and gas resources must be extracted through the use of the horizontal drilling process and multi-stage...

I’m tired of the Health Minister defending the Finance Minister’s job. I’m sorry. When will the Minister stop this bunkum message and finally say he’s going to fight at the Financial Management Board table and demand a treatment centre gets built here in the Northwest Territories, whether it’s in Inuvik, whether it’s in Yellowknife or Norman Wells that we get this job done? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I certainly hope I don’t hurt anyone’s feelings when I say this, but this government is addicted to the status quo. I am telling you, all we hear is this bunk message over and over again that they don’t want to do anything.

I want to hear today, what has the Minister of Health and Social Services done by way of submission by providing a plan for infrastructure such as a treatment or a detox centre to the FMB, that’s the Financial Management Board, and what can he tell this House today and show this House today that he is working on this particular problem? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank publicly MLA Yakeleya for bringing forward this motion. It is one that I believe strongly in and I want to thank him for his stewardship of getting it on the floor. I also want to thank the Members in advance of those who will be speaking in favour of it. Of course, I want to use the time now to shame and shun the government, who will not be voting on the motion, who will be abstaining, as we know in advance of this.

Addictions are a relentless problem. I do not have to tell anyone in this House how important action is required. Significant action keeps...