Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm always -- it's always a pleasure to go first, and I'm always ready when you call upon me to give my Member's statement because I've got lots to say.

Mr. Speaker, a few days ago, or I should say a few weeks ago, a former colleague of mine, Michael Miltenberger, wrote in the Northern News Services, and he talked about a very interesting thing. We did chat about, before his special article went out, guest article that is, and we chatted about is it time to have a good conversation about naming the Northwest Territories or renaming it a name that should mean...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just before I get into my question, I want to clearly state I like, respect, admire the important role NWT Power Corp does and delivers. So the next question isn't specific criticism against them, but it's how did they come up with the $12 million rather than just going to the magic 8-ball and saying how much do we need, how do you know; you know, those types of things? Like, where is that information on the basis of that dollar amount? Again, that's not about disrespecting them. I mean, to me, it could have been $18 million. It could be $6 million. It's the same. We...

Has the PUB or someone else articulated that deadline? Thank you.

Thank you for that. I will certainly accept it. Did NTPC suggest with respect to how urgent this particular need is and what documentation have they broken down to say if we don't have this by X date, we will have to consider Y solution? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sometimes I think this government misses the important things, the nuts and bolts of people's health care and how their families are impacted by government process, including the government bureaucracy, two favorite words - process and bureaucracy.

Mr. Speaker, I had heard from numerous constituents, but several as of late, about their concerns about getting appointments through the clinics. And this isn't just a Yellowknife issue. This is a territorial issue, Mr. Speaker. So, for example, if you want a same-day appointment, you have to walk down at 7:30 in the morning...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I look forward to that answer from the Minister.

Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement I also cited that there are issues with the phone system where people will leave messages, and the message online, whether you're calling the hospital to a specialist section, whether it's, you know, ultrasound, etcetera, or the clinics, etcetera, is you will get a callback between two and three days, so Mr. Speaker, if the -- maybe the Premier's trying to draw the attention of the House. I thought I was being interrupted there. Did you want something, Mr. Premier? Oh, maybe not.

Mr...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I cited in my Member's statement regarding health privacy concerns at the clinic, and so I'm going to ask the Minister what can she do to investigate, access, address, and follow up to people like myself, MLAs that is, what action can and will be taken to address these issues so inadvertently personal private information is not being shared? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I almost jumped the gun on that one, and thank you for being as kind as you are. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize Ms. Katie Johnson. She is a Yellowknife Centre constituent, and she's certainly a very strong advocate for inclusive education. She's very smart and hardworking at this issue, and I hope the government heeds some of the lessons and excitement she brings with ideas she channels through me and other Members of this House. Thank you very much.

Mr. Speaker, I may have used the word "breach." I'd have to go back to transcript. It wasn't -- no, no, but I want to be clear just for the mere second of grace you'll allow me. It's not a breach when two people are talking and people are listening as in a nefarious breach; it could just be shared inadvertently hence that's the breach per se, in that -- so if CBC's listening, you're not getting a fax.

Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement, I also cited the fact that there are line-ups at 7:30 when the doors open for those few precious appointments, and they're gone moments later, and then we...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I appreciate your word of wisdom. I, too, agree I want to begin by saying you're right, the individuals in the public service aren't on trial here in the sense of it's the Cabinet and their budget certainly is in the face of that and hence I wish to couch my marks around that particular thing.

So, Mr. Speaker, I did hear the budget. I'm going to say it wasn't all terrible, but -- so I want to stress that to the Finance Minister. I do know that bureaucracy works behind the scenes, you know, not days, not weeks, months and years to come up with what they do. And how do...