Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the prevailing issues that keep coming across my desk, whether I’m getting a phone call, a letter or an e-mail, Mr. Speaker, is medical travel. That, as well, seems to be fraught with challenges. I’d like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services what is she doing to lead some type of initiative that clears this up. Because medical travel seems to be a challenging issue and it appears, clearly, that it’s complicated as well. So what initiatives are being done to examine medical travel and make sure it’s clearly laid out for the public what...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m just curious if the Premier can provide some updates as to what work has been done to help get some of the positions that are typically staffed through Indian and Northern Affairs established here in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, my clear evidence of this House, many Members asked many questions repeatedly. Not just once. Not just twice. Not over one year. Not over five years; maybe even longer than that. Mr. Speaker, the point being is that many Members continue to challenge that mighty mountain by raising an issue up and saying we’re not going to give up. So has the government given up on Ottawa, and if they haven’t given up on Ottawa, when can we expect another letter asking for financial support for this particular project? Because I can guarantee you that there is no infrastructure project across...

Just on that financial note, has any work been done specifically to show that it’s in everyone’s best interest to fulfill negotiations on these types of agreements to kick off the financial process for self-government? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I said in my Member’s statement, I believe that the Deh Cho Bridge process has had many challenges. Mr. Speaker, I also want to clearly say that I don’t think a 9 percent increase on this project is a scandal, by any measure. Mr. Speaker, what I think is the true scandal of this project is where is Ottawa’s help on this potential project. I’d like to ask the Minister of Transportation, when was the last time Ottawa was asked for money to help support this project? Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, I’m wondering if the Minister would be willing to engage the 15 tables to ask them if they have an appetite to find a way to accelerate the self-government agreement process. And furthermore, if he’d send one more letter to Canada in that regard, which would speak to the same issue? It, perhaps, would be in Canada’s interest if we were in support of a process that was accelerated. So would the Minister be willing to find out if any of these tables would be interested in an accelerated process for self-government agreements? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just on the TSC area, I’ve always been a good supporter of the direction the TSC has been going. I think it made good sense when they were going the direction. One concern I’d like to highlight, perhaps it more of a myth as opposed to a fact, but I’m hearing a lot of concern about the size of the network sort of being pared down on employees. So, in other words, the usage, storage, those types of things are being pared back, if I can leave it as simple as that. Is there any truth to that, from this point of view? Are there any changes in our network that are reflecting...

Is there anything that the Minister can speak to the size of the market, how it will change, or is that a better question for the Department of Executive? In essence, I want to get a sense of the type of impact this will have on the Yellowknife market at this particular time, knowing that potentially again -- we’re speaking potentially here -- of a new government office building and we also know that one commercial building is opening up very quickly here. So I’m trying to get a sense of the size and magnitude of shift in the market that may or may not happen. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, has a particular size of the general office space been decided upon at this particular stage? If I hear the Minister correctly and the DM, that this project is sort of in the early stages, but has a particular size of a potential building been identified? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

When was that market analysis done and would the department be willing to offer a copy to Members? Thank you.