Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I raise today’s Member’s statement as an opportunity to respond to the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Minister’s statement, which is an update on the NWT barren ground caribou numbers.

First off, I want to thank the Minister for providing the House a small update. I think it’s a snapshot of our particular situation, but it is disappointing to hear the facts, that we still have a number of herds missing, without the details.

He points out, quite clearly, that the Bluenose-East and the Porcupine numbers, due to weather, we were not able to get clear and...

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Of course, we had some delegations that brought information, such as the Pembina Institute, which I would say most Members, if not all Members, thought it was very valuable.

That said… And Mr. Yakeleya, of course.

I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories include in its policy on hydraulic fracturing requirements for fair and transparent communication and opportunities for public engagement throughout all phases of the development of shale oil and gas projects. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. It gives me great pleasure to have the motions before us. I just want to remind committee and, of course, the general public, these are a bunch of motions we had read into the official record when we had read the report yesterday. With that, I wanted to thank the Members publicly for their assistance in doing that.

At this point, I’d like to get straight to the committee motions that are on the official report.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to first thank the Minister for that lavish praise and, of course, if he wishes to further gild the lily with how great I am, I would be willing to accept it.

When can we expect these particular numbers before us so we can have them for good discussion? The outfitters are feeling left out. Resident hunters are concerned. I support the return of full hunting for First Nation people, their opportunity.

The point is, when can we get the numbers out for discussion so we know what we’re working towards, because right now everyone’s in the dark and we want to be part of...

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...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In areas where legislated authority does not exist, it is the committee’s view that the Government of the Northwest Territories must exercise its moral authority to represent and act in the best interest of the people of the Northwest Territories, and promote sound management of our land and resources. The Government of the Northwest Territories has long experience in ensuring that residents’ voices are heard in resource development initiatives, but the time has come for it to assume responsibility for more active policy development as well.

The Calgary study tour and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Minister is defending his little committees to run around. We’ve studied this problem to death.

What does the Minister of Health and Social Services think that this committee is going to tell him that we don’t have binders, cases and truckloads of paper that is going to be new? So what does he think that’s going to be new delivered by this committee on the need of a treatment centre in the Northwest Territories, as I said, whether it’s in Inuvik, Yellowknife, Hay River or even Norman Wells?

When we talk about holding the budget line, that’s nothing but malarkey. Everybody in this building would support a treatment centre option submitted to the FMB.

Why isn’t the Minister of Health and Social Services demanding the Financial Management Board approve that submission to build a treatment centre in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the opportunity to talk about addictions today and the lack of government responses. I have never seen a better defense of the status quo by finding more excuses why not to act. Government after government after government continues to find new ways to defend doing nothing. There has been nothing but a solid call from this side of the House, including the Caucus at large, when we have asked for a treatment centre here in the Northwest Territories.

The Yellowknifer wrote an editorial the other day which I completely disagree with. They were taking a shot at...