Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said in my Member’s statement today, I’m concerned about children with autism and the service levels that are what I and the parents in the city would describe as non-existent. There are services provided by service agencies, but they’re not specific to autism treatment. My question to the Minister of Health and Social Services is: what is the policy and framework that the Department of Health and Social Services operates under specific to autism? What exists in place today?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to talk again about the difficulties that northern families have in accessing services for children who are diagnosed with autism. As I stated on June 3, 2008, I can relate to the frustration as I’ve now been waiting since May 11 – that is, five and a half weeks – for information from the Department of Health and Social Services on just exactly what they offer as services.

Mr. Speaker, as I stated before, if I as an MLA cannot readily get this type of information, what hope does the average Northerner have? I’m trying to do my job as an MLA and act as the...

I have three items I would like to table.

The first item is entitled parliamentary information research on the Provincial and Territorial Funding Programs for Autism Therapy paperwork.

The second item is entitled A System of Care for Children with Autism, expert panel report. It’s from Alberta Children’s Services, September 2002.

The third item is entitled Resources Available for Children with Disabilities.

Document 68-16(2), Provincial and Territorial Funding Programs for Autism Therapy, tabled.

Document 69-16(2), A System of Care for Children with Autism, tabled.

Document 70-16(2), Department...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When we first started this process, I got the impression that the Finance Minister, Premier Roland, whatever way you want to call it, sort of walked through the gates kind of like Clint Eastwood in Pale Rider. He sort of walked through with his spurs clicking away and saying, “This is how the budget is going to be, and this is how the budget is going to be.” I heard the whistle of Pale Rider go.

Mr. Speaker, the attitude of Mr. Roland has changed quite a bit. First, it was “This is it,” and then there was a little bit of “Maybe,” then “We’ll talk about it.” We’ve gotten...

I give notice that on Thursday, June 19, 2008, I will move the following motion.

I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that this Legislative Assembly strongly recommend that the government cease considering the elimination of the Business Incentive Policy, and further, that this Legislative Assembly strongly recommend that the government consider and undertake public discussion on options to revise the policy to better direct it to the benefit of businesses who file their taxes in the North.

Would the Premier take steps to work toward enacting a home-rule law? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We don’t need to recognize any differences, because this territory should have equal standing with every other province, and anyone who’s negotiating down from that would be selling us out. The fact is that the best solution would be an act to describe our position in Canada which is full partnership. When John A. Macdonald went out with his crew to negotiate with Britain about Canada having its own autonomy, it didn’t take 30 or 40 years like this devolution agreement. Even those folks who signed the Constitution and were branded as traitors in the United States were later regaled as heroes...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During my Member’s statement I talked about home rule as an initiative that could be launched by this territory to demonstrate that our rightful place deserves to be taken within Canada.

My questions go to the Premier of this House. Would the Premier move forward on an initiative that demonstrates that the territorial government is in charge of its own affairs by moving forward on home rule legislation?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A basic theme in the history of Ireland through the centuries of English dominance was the desire for control over its domestic affairs. Home rule constantly refers to the demands for greater self-government within a central government.

Mr. Speaker, the GNWT has been struggling with the federal government to complete the full transfer of decisionmaking powers since the ’70s. We keep insisting on the need for greater local control and accountability by Northerners for decisions that will affect our future.

Early on we made some progress with devolution of education and...

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to return to Item 5 on our agenda, which is recognition of visitors in the gallery.