Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't think you could say it enough. Thank you to the first responders up here in our gallery today. I also see some RCMP members, so I want to make sure that they are recognized as well as the firefighters. These are callings and special people answer that call, so thank you and much appreciated. So to all of you, thank you.

Lastly, but certainly not least, I wish to acknowledge the Testart-Marshall family. Yesterday I think I acknowledged my colleague's spouse for being the brilliance. I would also, then, will have to have a conversation later about some of his less...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister willing to work on this. I would ask in the context of urgency and zeal, because I mean, it's burger season, you know. So I don't want anyone in trouble. That's why I would ask the Minister to find a way to pull it back as reasonably as possible and would she be willing to make sure that this is done sooner than later because we don't want generous gifts to the community penalized by kind people helping others. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in my Member's statement, we're running out of time so I'm going to try to squeeze a couple extra questions in here through this process.

Mr. Speaker, I was just simply gobsmacked when I heard that NGOs and community groups have to now get a health permit to have a barbecue. And, Mr. Speaker, could the Minister maybe enlighten how this process came along and what are we fixing? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At first, it may appear like a layout of cash but it's not. It's just a guarantee, and the GNWT will get its money back because this is a 50-year organization that is cruising to work.

Mr. Speaker, what communication has the Minister, through her department obviously, had with the Yellowknife Community Association in the context of NUP about what they're doing and how they're trying to meet their deadline of tomorrow May 30th? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ever so briefly, I want to recognize and acknowledge all the incredible interpreters we have here. I would certainly say to some degree they are all my favourites; however, Mr. Speaker, I have one favorite who is just a little more favorite, and that happens to be Ms. Sarah Cleary. She's here, and she interprets Dene Kede, and I'm certainly grateful to call her a friend as well a constituent, and I appreciate the hard work she does here every day we sit. Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm not really hearing the government wants to do anything other than wait. Are they going -- is the plan to wait and sit this out, or is the plan to actually engage and try to put better options on the table so businesses, the community, will feel safe again, Mr. Speaker, and a responsible place for them to go could be quickly identified on NWT lands. Will the Minister -- or sorry, will the Premier step up, maybe even meet with these people, and to have this conversation? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On a similar topic or same topic as the previous Speaker, I don't share her points of view very closely although I do share the humanity of the issue. I want to say that undoubtedly. Mr. Speaker, I feel that what's important to stress before I get to my question is I may be critical of this government but at times, defined as spicy, but I feel something's being missed in this articulation.

To imply that there isn't shelter options or shelter -- the shelters are full, there isn't to imply there's treatment or counselling supports aren't available, there's food available...

Mr. Speaker, although I would like to influence the outcome, that's not my question. My question is about pausing this to ensure there's a rigorous review before an awarding of a contract so there will be no necessity for legal action to work their way through this because, as I highlighted, the details are a little questionable. Would the Minister clarify for the House that she'll ensure the official awarding of the contract won't be done until there's a rigorous review of the numbers and their calculations? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives great pleasure to recognize, through you, to the House; I have several guests to acknowledge. First of all, I'd like to recognize Todd Cook. He happens to be the president and CEO of Northview Residential REIT. He's up there in the gallery. Sitting next to him is Linay Freda. I believe she is the vice-president of operations. And she's there as well. And next to her is a face many of us will know around this room, but certainly in the community, is Ms. Colleen Wellborn. She is the local, so the northern regional director here for Northview. And I want to give...

Mr. Speaker, what is the plan to communicate this to Members and the public, and is there a way to get this sorted out before the weekend? Because we have them steeling fences now, and it's been reported to the RCMP. I have the file number. Mr. Speaker, is there a way to get this into action before the weekend before more destruction and safety become compromised? Thank you.