Robert Hawkins

Mr. Speaker, my questions will be to the Minister of strategic infrastructure, and I will begin by noting that the Slave Geological Province Corridor report, which I have in my hand, notes that the best route is going east and direct to the mining sector; and lastly, Mr. Speaker, I will point out that the City of Yellowknife supports the NWT economy with approximately $2.2 billion. That's 50 percent of the northern economy, Mr. Speaker. So my direct question to the Minister of Infrastructure is, will the Minister of strategic infrastructure ensure that any routing of the Arctic Economic...

Mr. Speaker, the Minister talks about the budget, the money. Can the Minister confirm to this House that 100 percent of what would have been his travel budget is going to support our northern athletes at the Arctic Winter Games? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am going to ask questions to the most athletic Minister we have here today. That'd be the Minister of MACA who is in charge of sport and youth. And I can see him all excited there with knowing he's getting my questions, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I understand that the Minister is not going to the Arctic Winter Games to wave the NWT flag and support the parents and athletes. Yeah, it's a real shame. Mr. Speaker, in my time, I've always seen political representation to show that support. Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister explain why he or someone in his position is not going...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't need a long preamble. I am requesting the Minister to host a town hall and community meeting. Will the Minister abide by that request? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will talk that offer. Mr. Speaker, is the Minister aware of the type of community policing that special constables provide outside of the regular standard RCMP officer. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, in a roundabout way, the Department of Justice used to support community initiatives such as Citizens on Patrol, Mr. Speaker. It was a program in collaboration with the RCMP. Would the Minister be willing to revisit this initiative that citizens appreciated where they felt like they were being part of the bigger community solution making our communities safe? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do want to note the tone of frustration wasn't intended at the Minister directly. I was kind of -- justice Minister. I was just hoping, and I think MLA -- my MLA colleague was hoping for a simple yes, we'll attend, not this long government answer.

Mr. Speaker, on the same topic, my question for the -- general topic, that is, Mr. Speaker, my question for the Minister respectfully is intended is this: Businesses are forced to deal with the cost of vandalism, shoplifting, etcetera, this is a cost passed on to the public. It's incurred the situation of hiring security...

Mr. Speaker, I have a whole set of questions, but I am not going to get to them. I am going to keep repeating the same question. MLA Testart has asked twice. I've asked once. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to ask it a fourth time.

Mr. Minister of Justice, I am asking, MLA Testart's asking you, would you please organize a community town hall meeting so people can speak about their vulnerability and have ideas and options through your department in partnership with the RCMP so we can feel empowered and feel safe in our community again. Would you be willing to do that at our request? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am going to start off with some interesting words: Confusion, anger, fear, frustration, hopelessness reinforced by the feelings of abandonment and vulnerability. Again, Mr. Speaker, the weight when someone tells me they feel vulnerable and abandoned by the process in the world we live in.

Mr. Speaker, many people know Yellowknife will never be the Old Yellowknife of old days but, Mr. Speaker, with my colleague from Range Lake, we wanted to hear the stories of up to 70 people. People showed up who are not regular people who come to these types of community events. They...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In brief, they provide community policing almost identical to RCMP but they are a better -- a more direct resource from the community. So, Mr. Speaker, would the Minister be willing to meet with the RCMP directly, including with colleagues like myself and Mr. Testart, to talk more about how we can support this initiative in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.