Robert Hawkins

Mr. Speaker, again, clearly I want to say I’m not against the spirit and the intent, but it seems to be a real communication problem here. Mr. Speaker, I can’t imagine such a significant change in the way the government can operate its business to the people of the Northwest Territories. I can’t imagine such a significant change in the way we can borrow money and put risk at hand here, that this government wouldn’t communicate some of these intentions, either the Premier’s position, interest or whatnot, to the Member of Parliament, and he wouldn’t reach out to Members of this House and express...

I don’t know if I can put it better than you did. You spoke very nicely about Gay Kennedy and Verna Currimbhoy.

I’d like to recognize Gay Kennedy for her hard work here for the last two years. I’ve gotten to know her very well and I respect the work that she’s done in this government, as well as the fact that she’ll be a stalwart force who is missed. She’s done a lot of work over the years and I know that her works and efforts can’t be replaced.

Verna Currimbhoy, as you’ve mentioned as well, is leaving us and, as I understand it, she’ll soon be moving to Saskatoon where her granddaughter is now...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I clearly support this motion and I think it is a good thing. I believe strongly that the public inclusion and collaboration on future development of land and resources and our management regime are critical.

Mr. Speaker, I think the public needs to be involved and we need to find a way that does involve them in the appropriate way that we do business. Mr. Speaker, that does not mean we advocate or I should say I advocate that we negotiate in public with our devolution agreements through our AIP being posted on the web or who knows how they get there, but the reality is...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a pleasure to speak to this motion, but, unfortunately, I can’t support the motion the way it is written. I’ll explain why.

I certainly believe strongly that the path of independence is sought through education. I think independent people who are self-sufficient through their education and that gives them the strength to go on and take care of themselves and their family and their future. I feel very strongly that the benefits of education help people in every generation. Education does not hold a single person back once you get that.

As the program is designed now...

As politicians we know that the power of perception, when something is seen or heard or certainly told, Mr. Speaker. My point being is that the power of perception here does not meet the “perceived to be fair” when it comes to the contract and tendering process, because we have no clear guidelines and appeal mechanisms. The Minister says they could appeal to the system, but that’s back to the finance director or, of course, go to the comptroller general, which shows no independence of our process. That was even highlighted by our Auditor General in her recent report regarding contracting, Mr...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the past I’ve brought this issue forward to the House. It’s an issue of contracting where our Public Works and Government Services has allowed someone to help them develop a tender, but at the same time they subsequently allow them to bid on the tender, and on a few occasions they have won the tender. The first one I’m going to note is when the water treatment program up in the North here had issued five contracts for water treatment. I had felt at the time that that was an unfair process that wasn’t open and honest. I’m concerned that another issue has come before...

Mr. Speaker, my frustration is not directed at the Finance Minister, but the fact is this does not represent a unified voice of this Assembly. We hear how hard that this government wants to work together on a devolution agreement, bring everybody together, work together on the same page. Well, this bill seems to derail that. Again, I know it’s the Member of Parliament’s business to do what he feels fit, but you would think that the communications works… If you know something so important, why didn’t you tell this side of the House, because it makes everyone over here look bad that we don’t...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to table a document, or I should say it’s actually a book. It’s Too Many Espresso Beans and it’s written by a constituent of mine, Brad Hall, and he is a young man who has autism and he’s written a book to show the courage and strength he’s had and abilities to deal with the autism. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to return to item number 7, oral questions, on the orders of the day.

---Unanimous consent denied

It’s really sad we can’t debate this line item very clear here in the House, because it’s unfortunate. It won’t be tabled before the House until February. Mr. Speaker, how much has the Minister committed to respite services to date and how much will she be committing going forward to demonstrate respite services will be protected and enshrined in our health system? Thank you.