Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I’d like to thank the Minister as well. Mr. Speaker, what I am trying to describe here is we have a signed contract where students are supposed to receive 10 payments, but they are receiving nine. They are officially being cut off, and it has been put into writing because technically they are one day short of attendance into the June month period. So they are attending five days, whereas they need to be attending six days to receive any money. So that was the reason they are being cut off from any future payments. Would the Minister commit today to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s statement I spoke about the NWT student loan agreement that was cut off on short notice. The students that sign these contracts are in real need of financial support, and they count on the money that they are promised by the government. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. In what circumstances does he consider it appropriate for his department to change the amount of a student loan agreement, a signed contract, without the student’s knowledge or consent? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier this week my honourable colleague, Mrs. Jane Groenewegen, spoke about the government’s responsibility to make clients aware of important program rules and criteria changes on a timely basis. It has come to my attention that this is not happening in some cases with the student financial assistance program and that is causing unfair hardship. In one particular case, I am aware that a student has signed a loan, a contract, Mr. Speaker, for 10 monthly instalments of $1,100 to help fund her education. Unfortunately, she has learned two months before the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you for the willingness, Mr. Minister, I can hear in your voice to address this matter. Mr. Speaker, I guess lastly, does the Minister consider it serious that a signed contract is broken? Does the Minister take that very seriously? Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell me what efforts his department takes to warn students that the amount of their loans may be reduced later on in the year, and what do they do to notify students on a timely basis that their loan amounts may be addressed? What notice do they provide if any? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take the opportunity to recognize a friend of mine, Richard Archer, upstairs. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Due to the complexity of the last answer, it forces me to ask again for reassurance on the Minister’s commitment. Due to the fact that we have a historical commitment on an open contract, as I read it, which I will further table today, I would like absolute commitment, so I can feel confident today that this Minister will deal with this historical problem and ensure that we have safety at this territorial park beach. I used to lifeguard at this beach and I am sorry I have to say here today that I can even recall the honourable Minister frolicking on that beach under...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as per my Member’s statement earlier today, I said I believed that the Department of RWED has misinterpreted their contractual obligation with the City of Yellowknife. At this time, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of RWED, when did his department cancel this contract with the City of Yellowknife and did they provide notice by the January 1st deadline as required in the contract? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk to you about an issue of lifeguard services at the Fred Henne Territorial Park this upcoming summer. I should truly say the lack thereof of services. The Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development has said that they will no longer contract with the City of Yellowknife to provide lifeguarding services so there will be no lifeguards this summer at the Long Lake beach.

Mr. Speaker, as I see it, Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development has misinterpreted their contract with the City of Yellowknife, which I will...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Minister, for your answer. Mr. Speaker, my last question I believe at this time is will the Minister take any additional steps or actions to ensure the protection of the NWT citizens from convicted sex offenders during the delay of the implementation of this act? Is he willing to take any additional steps? Thank you.