Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the committee met with the Minister on February 17, 2004 to review the draft 2004-2005 main estimates for the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs. The ministry is proposing a $48,000 decrease in operations and expenses from the 2003-2004 main estimate. The committee is concerned about the slow implementation of land claims agreements and hopes to see considerable progress during the term of the 15th Assembly. Despite the considerable number of years since the signing of the agreement with the Inuvialuit, Gwich’in and Sahtu people, there are still numerous issues...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that this committee recommends the government continue to hold to its position that incremental self-government costs are the responsibility of the federal government. And further, that the government maintains a strong position with respect to self-government implementation costs in order to ensure the GNWT does not pay costs that are the responsibility of the federal government.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll just be brief. As I see it, this program means a lot to the communities and to the culture of the communities. It seems like a shame that we would find money for three years through programs and transfers and then let the program dissolve in its own way and evaluate it after. It would only seem reasonable that evaluation would happen before we send it off into the sunset and say goodbye to this program. It seems alike a shame -- shame -- but I’d like to see that the government demonstrates some passion and leadership, which seems to be the theme today, by finding...

Mr. Speaker, you know, I’ll truthfully say I’m exhausted bringing this issue up every day, but thank goodness I’m one of the youngest Members because I’m going to keep going at this darn stamina for four years if this is what it takes to make this Minister listen to this issue. Using that stamina, and sometimes being referred to as stubborn, I’ll move forward and continue to press this Minister to start focusing on the issue of vision and leadership to address this.

One day, Mr. Speaker, as I’m approaching the closing statement, someday this Minister will echo I’m working on this problem. I’ve...

I can’t help but ask one last question. Will the Minister be engaging any of the Yellowknife Members with regard to this new school yet to be determined under which school board? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. When will the Minister be determining which school board this new Yellowknife school will be directed to? Thank you.

Thank you for your confidence, Mr. Zoe. Wait until we get to MACA.

---Laughter

Mr. Chairman, if the Minister would honour us with the regional breakout of the total regional college contributions. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It must be late because I think I heard two answers. There were two different answers, and I stress it could be late and it could be me. It is the NACC officials' understanding that the lease is not being lived up to properly so, therefore, I'm asking for commitment from the Minister just to have a look at it. I can't imagine the bureaucracy not having an extra moment to have a good look at it, therefore we've satisfied our concerns. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will stress up front I won't pursue the aggressive line of questioning my honourable colleague, Mr. Menicoche, just did. I would like to follow suit on some of the comments Ms. Lee brought forward with regard to the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre here in Yellowknife. NACC had pointed out that they had an original lease that was established between the GNWT and I guess them, the way I understand it. They brought forward, in a very articulate manner, that they felt the lease was still strong and when it changed to the school board the lease had never truly been...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier, one of our honourable Members pointed out a failing grade on the report card level, and I would like to take the opportunity for the Minister of Justice to redeem his report card implied level with this written question.

Would the Minister table in this House, in a timely manner, this government's position on a sex offender registry, and, further, note any work done to date in support of a national sex offender registry.

And finally, if the Minister would note this government's observations of any potential shortcomings that a future national sex offender...