Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe we have a real problem here and I think the ENR Minister can solve it by doing something today. My optimism tells me he’s got the leadership and wherewithal, so let’s settle it today by making a clear statement by supporting innovative programs out there. Mr. Speaker, we have real problems so we need real solutions. So where is the policy to support innovative programs for energy saving conservation investments in our Northwest Territories and in our people? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We’re still missing the results of the policy, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we’re still talking about the Energy Strategy. We’re talking about hot potatoeing it. Where is the leadership from this government that says energy policy, the policy that says we’ll do things smart, we’re setting up programs? We’re talking about a strategy, we’re throwing it away and saying go to the Arctic Energy Alliance, we’re saying we’re marrying many things, but yet at the end of the day where is the policy that says this government will set up programs to help the average Northwest Territories citizen? Thank...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my job to challenge the government in order to encourage them to provide the highest quality of life for our people that we represent. Today I wish to speak about the lack of innovation by this government and the lack of encouragement it is offering our local northern innovators. The Association for the Study of Peak Oil points out that we are on the verge of a massive global oil shortage which will result in the skyrocketing oil prices some day soon. But thankfully, Mr. Speaker, the sky isn’t falling today. Although imagine what that will do to a territory that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think the Minister hot potatoed that right over to the Arctic Energy Alliance. Maybe I am wasting my time asking ENR questions and I should march down to Arctic Energy Alliance about their support. But, Mr. Speaker, this is about a lack of policy. This is about a lack of programs. This is about the lack of attention about who’s in the driver’s seat about this problem because if the ENR Minister isn’t willing to do anything about this, I’m going to ask him who will. So, Mr. Speaker, where is the policy to set up support programs so local folks, the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. As I said just a moment ago, this territory is truly an amazing place and its residents deserve innovation from our government and definitely need a reward program that encourages innovation. Mr. Speaker, we need creative thinking and we need it now. I will continue to do my job by challenging the ENR Minister to look out for the best interests of our constituents and our people and to safeguard our future. So later today, Mr. Speaker, I will have thought-provoking questions, which I’m sure the Minister already knows we have a problem out there...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, seeing how the Minister didn’t answer the question, maybe I’ll ask it this way. Mr. Speaker, if the Minister is hearing me now, when will he consider establishing a new board and would he consider using the existing governance board, called the Joint Leadership Council, and establishing them as the board for Stanton Territorial Hospital in an efficient and in a timely way? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Merci, Monsieur President. Mr. Speaker, it has been three and a half years since Stanton Territorial Hospital last had a board. Since that time, this hospital has been under the direct control of the Minister, the Department of Health and Social Services and through a public administrator. In 2003, the Minister, and I have to say with some credible vision, established a Joint Leadership Council made up by the Minister, the deputy minister, and the chairs of all the health and social service authorities around our NWT. The mandate of this council includes providing advice, general guidance...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, it sounds like we’re finally making some headway. So I appreciate that because if they actually have that responsibility his last answer wouldn’t have said working to and working to formalize. That being said, that the Minister has underscored that they are not established with that responsibility, can the Minister point out the time frame of when they will have the ultimate authority and will he appoint the Joint Leadership Council, that he had the vision to establish, as the board for Stanton Territorial Hospital? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, seeing how the Minister didn’t answer the question, maybe I’ll ask it this way. Mr. Speaker, if the Minister is hearing me now, when will he consider establishing a new board and would he consider using the existing governance board, called the Joint Leadership Council, and establishing them as the board for Stanton Territorial Hospital in an efficient and in a timely way? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Merci, Monsieur President. Mr. Speaker, it has been three and a half years since Stanton Territorial Hospital last had a board. Since that time, this hospital has been under the direct control of the Minister, the Department of Health and Social Services and through a public administrator. In 2003, the Minister, and I have to say with some credible vision, established a Joint Leadership Council made up by the Minister, the deputy minister, and the chairs of all the health and social service authorities around our NWT. The mandate of this council includes providing advice, general guidance...