Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to speak to Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, in my capacity as a Member of the Board of Management.

In the previous Assembly, changes were made to the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act to adjust pay by the average percentage increase or decrease in the consumer price index for Canada in a period of five years. This bill aligns the maximum amounts allowed annually for Members' expenses to the same consumer price index to make sure the act is uniformly using the same measurements. That...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And good day, colleagues. I'm going to tell you a sad story about a young person, a lifelong Northerner and a resident of Yellowknife, who recently talked to me and brought forward their concern, deep disappointment about their experience of working through the NWT Health and Social Services Bursary Program.

Now this young person, I was really inspired and now I'm not going to table it because it's a they're even a published author, Mr. Speaker. They work with groups like Home Base, the Tree of Peace, and many other wonderful organizations, even Dechinta, about trying...

Déjà vu. Or as a former Speaker used to say, déjà vu all over again. Mr. Whitford. So starting from the top, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues, for your indulgence.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Member for Kam Lake, that Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, be read for a second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act to adjust the maximum amounts allowed for Members' expenses as adjusted by using the average change in the consumer price index over the past five years. This aligns the Act with...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yeah, they provided information, but it wasn't detailed such as can a doctor refuse to take a client. So, Mr. Speaker, when people are waiting six to eight years on the medical waiting list to get a family doctor, they have no idea when it's coming. So, Mr. Speaker, I'm asking again what can the Minister do to bring some level of transparency to the doctors' waiting list for the public? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I really wish the Minister would answer the question. What is her hesitation for putting some transparency on the doctors' waiting list? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the Minister recognizes this is a daunting process, if the Minister recognizes that it's challenging in the sense of that it affects a lot of people, Mr. Speaker, why isn't the Minister advocating that there is some actual handson people to help steward employers through this process? Because we know it is complicated and sometimes quite lengthy. So would she do this, or what will she advocate for?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister be able to elaborate on what type of hands on support does the department offer so employers can fill out these applications and potentially fill skilled worker openings? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm curious with respect to this question is there a yes or a no in the vocabulary of the Minister to confirm she will revisit this decision? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Member. I believe if I understand it correctly, most of this is set by the independent commission and given the direction to the Assembly on that. If I need a further there is maybe one further comment provided by our clerk who can elaborate. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister be willing to revisit this decision to give a yes?