Robert Hawkins

Like many of my colleagues here today, I would like to make a special mention of Mr. Jeske and his presence here. He makes every effort to show up at the start of each session. So, Mr. Jeske, thank you for coming.

Mr. Speaker, it’s pleasant news to finally hear it live, here in the flesh, for the first time. I’d encourage the Premier to make sure he articulates these groundbreaking movements on subjects like this to all Members.

Mr. Speaker, is he also seeking other support from maybe our Senators and other MPs like this? The fact is the Premiers are the big issue. What type of information and support is he really getting from them? Is it one of those “Good idea, but we’ll just sign on so it looks good on the letterhead”? Or is he getting real support, whereas then they’ll break some real ground on this...

Just one last question, Mr. Speaker. As far as the communications regarding the reliability of the programs we offer — our power program, that is — can I get some feedback as to when the Minister can provide this communication strategy? Would he be willing to see if he could provide it before the end of this session, which is almost three weeks?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before I begin, I wish to make special mention that today is Red Friday and I continue to wear red to honour our troops and the families, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, I spoke about the need to introduce and pass the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act in order to support the police and communities in getting rid of those drug dealers and bootleggers. Mr. Speaker, we need, of course, as many tools out there to clean up those streets for our families.

However, Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about the other side of the equation. I wish to talk about...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have always, in principle, been a big supporter of the Deh Cho Bridge project. I think it’s a good project. Mr. Speaker, there were a lot of problems associated with this project and, as I understand it, there were still 12 outstanding issues. If the Minister is not prepared to give me an answer on every single one of those 12 issues that are still outstanding today, will he provide Members details on every one of those issues and how we are remedying them in the next few days? Can he provide that by the end of next week? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to return to oral questions. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last term I talked about the need for a territorial arts and cultural achievement award evening. It could be a focus or a way we could pinnacle our arts achievements throughout the Northwest Territories; whether it be culture, whether it be in the sense of visual arts, whether it be crafts. Mr. Speaker, the former Minister of Education, Culture and Employment was supportive of this initiative and, of course, the department, as I understood it, was working towards something. I’d like to ask the new and current Minister of the Department of Education, is...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Where is it on the departmental priority list, the internal priority list, Mr. Speaker, on establishing a treatment centre here in Yellowknife and in Inuvik? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s statement today, I talked about the need for residential treatment programs here in the Northwest Territories that focus in on youth and family. Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health and Social Services was on this side of the House last term, so she is well aware that a motion that went forward that supported the treatment centre built in Yellowknife and in Inuvik and, of course, underlying all of that, not only being the Minister now, she had the experience of being the chair of the Social Programs so she understands the need of these...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the people concerned about the 12 outstanding issues I don’t think are in any way concerned about the bridge in principle. It is more about the nuts and bolts of this agreement to make sure it is online and on track. So, Mr. Speaker, I heard the willingness of the Minister to provide this. I just want to get some timelines on when we can actually see this document in front of us so we can really understand the fullness of what has been fully committed to this project. Thank you.