Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In talking to parents about the change in programming with the deletion of the funding support for respite services, you can hear a parent tell me that respite has become a pillar in their family and their support mechanism. What has happened here is that pillar has held up many problems. It has provided them respite from stress. It has provided them respite from burnout. Mr. Speaker, the problem is that this pillar is now being chipped away and torn away. The family unit is feeling the pressure of that stress and they are approaching burnout.

Mr. Speaker, many families...

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

---Unanimous consent denied

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t doubt that the Minister has a passion for this issue. I wouldn’t doubt that the Minister cares about this particular issue, but everything seems to be hurry up, let’s wait. Stop distracting the issue, just wait. Well, unfortunately, we’ve got a lot of families who can’t wait and proceed on blind faith.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister has allowed -- and, as she said, she takes full responsibility for the department – she has allowed this cut to be proposed and she is defending the cut. So what is her plan to bridge through this cut? She could make that very clear here...

I kind of find it unfortunate that the Minister keeps saying it’s unfortunate that it was brought to us in this method. To be quite honest, Mr. Speaker, if this message of respite care wasn’t brought to us by constituents, it would be so unfortunate it would have been long gone before we ever found out.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister keeps saying it’s a distraction about trying to find out what happened. I think that’s kind of the blueprint of finding out what we can do. Mr. Speaker, where is the money for the budget year 2011-12 going to be allocated to? In short, Mr. Speaker, it has been allocated...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, wish to welcome everyone in the gallery. I’d like to specifically make note of a number of Yellowknife Centre constituents: Andrea Stewart, Keaton Hardisty, from the LeMay family I’d like to recognize James, Lisa, Jo-Jo and Ella. I’d like to recognize Kristy Samuelson and from the Kapolak family I’d like to recognize, Sam, Shayne and Susie. Finally, but not last, Billie-Rae Driscoll. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Welcome everyone.

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

The Minister of ITI.

It gives me great pleasure to recognize, as well, Mr. Ed Jeske and Mr. Krutko’s father.

Thank goodness we have rules so I won’t respond appropriately to how the Minister should get a response, but I’d like to know what the Minister is doing, or I should say what’s causing the Minister and the department from holding back on implanting this COR certification program, especially in light of the fact that the Department of Public Works, several months ago, seemed to be in favour of this initiative. As well, they went and sent one of their staff members, a senior staff member, to become certified in the program. So, again, it seems to be a mixed message. They support it, but don’t...