Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, about two weeks ago, I sent an e-mail to the Minister of Health and Social Services regarding some disabled constituents of mine. They are looking for some assistance regarding any support programs we have on the books or in existence, because they want to get an assisted dog to help them with their disability. One is in a wheelchair and the second one needs an assisted dog because they can’t walk properly due to a lot of reasons. But the e-mail hasn’t been answered. So I guess the question for today is, will the Minister be responding to my question?...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister says there will be a consultation. I’d like to know what “will” means and who it’s run by and what’s the mandate being provided to whoever that “will” is in this particular case that’s doing this review. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think it’s time for an independent review of the situation. We have the affordability in the sense that parents can’t afford to pay for day care, we have the affordability sense…

---Interjection

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the fact is, the government must make sure that day care is accessible and reliable to all her citizens and definitely our parents, because we have to be providing programs for those we care about most.

Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister later today, because day care matters, truly matters, to my constituency and the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to speak today of day care matters. Yes, Mr. Speaker, day care matters to families in the North and in particular to my constituents.

We have to take a serious look at the state of affairs for our children and their care, Mr. Speaker. How do we provide day care in the NWT? Do we do sufficient work? Do we provide sufficient standards to make sure that they’re safe in that place? Do we provide appropriate training? Do we provide access to training? Do we provide appropriate funding? We need to take a serious look at how we fund these agencies and...

WHEREAS Rule 85 requires that Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Social Programs;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Social Programs:

Ms. Wendy Bisaro, the Member for Frame Lake;

Mr. Glen Abernethy, the Member for Great Slave;

Mr. Robert C. McLeod, the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes;

Mr. Tom Beaulieu, the Member for Tu Nedhe;

Mr. Bob Bromley, the Member for Weledeh;

AND FURTHER, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Social Programs as alternate Members:

M...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Thursday, November 29, 2007, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Social Programs: Ms. Wendy Bisaro, the Member for Frame Lake; Mr. Glen Abernethy, the Member for Great Slave; Mr. Robert C. McLeod, the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes; Mr. Tom Beaulieu, the Member for Tu Nedhe; Mr. Bob Bromley, the Member for Weledeh; and further, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Social Programs as...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I certainly hope that this doesn’t speak to a trend that it takes a couple weeks to respond to me to tell me we’ll get back to you. So the fact is, when can we expect some type of response on this matter? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS section 44 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act states that the "Legislative Assembly may establish such standing and special committees to aid and advise it as it considers necessary";

AND WHEREAS the standing and special committees of the Legislative Assembly are established in the Rules of the Legislative Assembly;

AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly has chosen to make revisions to the standing committees;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Frame Lake, that the Rules of the Legislative Assembly be amended by rescinding...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, October 22, 2007, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Frame Lake, that the Rules of the Legislative Assembly be amended by rescinding Rule 85 and substituting the following:

Standing and Special Committees

85 (1)

At its first sitting after a general election, the Assembly shall appoint a Striking Committee of five Members to report and recommend, with all convenient speed, Members to comprise the following standing committees of the Assembly:

on Economic Development and Infrastructure...