Robert Hawkins

I look forward to all four questions today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will try to make them very short with maybe a quick explanation and some quick bullets after that. While travelling into the Deh Cho, I’ve heard Aboriginal people say they’d like set aside lands protected and trespassing raised as an issue. Recently I was in the Sahtu and Aboriginal people told me there that they want trespass protection on their lands. I’ve been in Yellowknife and other areas, and whether it’s private business or even public lands, trespassing has turned out to be an issue. My Member’s statement said enough...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As our government prepares to take over land management, it’s time to examine our policies, and perhaps it’s time to look at trespass legislation. I’m not talking about the hunters or snowmobilers who enjoy their time as they sneak across the hinterland, or those people who are out picking berries or walking their dogs. I’m talking about those people who interfere with public and private property within our northern communities.

This is a very real issue. I’ve travelled the North and I’ve heard complaints both in Inuvik, Norman Wells and, yes, even here in Yellowknife...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m coming at the perspective from the human angle and I’ve often said that any time we look at something we should always look to the communities first to see where we can bolster two or three. Ten or 20 new jobs in Yellowknife has not quite the same effect as it would in a regional community that needs those employment numbers, needs those investment dollars and needs that type of activity.

But what my question is really narrowed down to is what type of evaluation and incentives were offered to these employees to look at this transfer? I know this will be impacting...

Is that a commitment to investigate this problem about seeing what’s possible, working with his partners at the Department of Justice?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to recognize one of the William MacDonald students who I believe is a constituent in Yellowknife Centre. Alexia D’Astous MacDonald. I hope I said that correctly. Thank you for coming today.

I’d like to use the occasion to recognize a long-time friend, Terrance Courtorielle, up in the front there. We’ve known each other since we were kids. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

When I hear the Premier how he feels about this issue, I mean, to be quite frank, I don’t care how he personally feels. But it sounds as if the decision has already been made on that biasness, and there are five provinces who already regulate as very good and simple models.

What type of public input has the Premier gone to beyond his personal feelings, or the government’s feelings, of price regulation? What type of public input on what the people would like on this issue? That’s ultimately the question here is: Is price regulation needed in the Northwest Territories, and is it wanted by...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On February 28th this House passed a motion regarding fuel price regulation, to investigate and evaluate the possibilities of gas price regulation here in the Northwest Territories.

My question to the Premier of our Assembly here is: What has this government done to date in preparing for the 120-day response over gas price regulation for the people of the Northwest Territories?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Northerners continue to be held hostage. This is a reality and it is far too common to hear this question. Why isn’t our government standing up for our northern people? The government would tell you they are fighting and working hard on the cost of living problem. Talk is certainly cheap. I can tell, from looking around here, that it must have been on sale too.

We live in a time of ever increasing energy costs. Last week Northerners experienced rate shock at the pumps. Why? Because they could. That is why. No one holds them to account. Normally a free market being left...

Mr. Speaker, if I heard the Minister correctly, and from what I have heard on the ground, through the land advisory relationship process, the YK Dene were caught by surprise. Even the GNWT was caught by surprise. If it wasn’t for some of the screaming, well-tuned-in public, most of us probably would have been caught by surprise even worse than what has been happening now.

From the Minister’s perspective through process only, obviously, were there any gaps here? Why wasn’t there proper feedback from the feds on a relationship of the land advisory process? I believe the GNWT is party to this. I...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think even our own economic opportunities group that was doing a study on creating a robust environment for business cited concerns about the difficulty in prices around fuel in every region.

Would the Premier provide an opportunity for the public to provide some public input on their feelings on this particular issue? Will he reach out to the public as they build a government position? As the Premier knows, I have an on-line petition. Will the Premier be willing to help promote that to ensure we get public input on this issue that’s so important?