Robert Hawkins

Mr. Speaker, in a coordinating fashion, how do we know we’re meeting the needs of seniors? How do we measure this? How do we understand this and what type of relationship fashion is set up to ensure that the messages, their needs, are being communicated to the government? Is it the responsibility of this Minister? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s no surprise to Members that I’m a big supporter and champion of seniors’ issues and certainly their rights. In the 16th Assembly, I brought up the issue of an NWT Seniors’ Charter. In my belief, it would complement the work here that we do in the Assembly. It would serve as a mission statement as to how the government sets out its commitment, well-being and support for quality living with seniors.

My question for the Minister responsible for Seniors is: What does he use for his guiding principle and mandate to build and work within a relationship with NWT seniors to...

Is this something you don’t want to do or can’t do?

Maybe the Minister of Human Resources could help educate the Legislature on the inconsistencies of filing paperwork and how that is so incredibly difficult that we need a new risk matrix to explain the elements of why it’s so inconsistent in some areas and why we couldn’t have a consistent pattern across the board and, by the same token, someone to ensure there is a level of compliance.

And the answer to my question?

So maybe if it’s part of the performance process and the Department of Human Resources doesn’t seem interested in creating a coordinated role, who does coordinate to ensure that the deputies do comply?

I’m sorry, but I’m just not seeing it. The hoping that every department steps up to the plate still misses the coordinating role. It’s like an orchestra. We need a conductor to ensure everyone is playing the same tune. Sure, they all play wonderful instruments that are polished nice and they practice on their own, but the reality is, without that person tapping on the music and causing it to come together properly, it doesn’t have that element.

Here is a good example of the fact that no one is in charge of this particular thing. It’s all left up to the deputies by saying, don’t worry, you’re on...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to use the opportunity today to talk about a January 7th letter I wrote to Mr. Miltenberger regarding a Financial Administration Manual breach of 3307. It refers to aircraft chartering.

In my January 7th letter I wrote to Mr. Miltenberger and said that it looks like Mr. Ramsay led a charter to Fort Providence and several Members attended that. According to Mr. Ramsay’s November 19th letter, he encouraged Members to bring family members along. Although it was an occasion to celebrate – and that should not be forgotten on this occasion – the letter did not sort of...

I didn’t ask the question he answered, but I was grateful for the time he did spend providing information to the House again. My issue is about coordination. Is it something he can’t do, or doesn’t want to do?

Well, the Minister keeps echoing about how different places are, but when we talk about filing of paperwork, for example, we’ve have incidents where people don’t file on time, so why are departments so difficult they can’t file their paperwork in a compliance form? Maybe he could explain in a risk matrix complex, sort of explain all the deviations that apply to these things and why they are so different and maybe we can get an education here today. Because, ultimately, what we’re asking for is compliance and consistency. Do they all have different types of risks? Absolutely. That’s as plain as...