Robert Hawkins

I had previously requested a copy of this evaluation; however, I was only given a bit of a summary as to the objectives. I still have that outstanding request, and that’s very important to the principles of supporting this day shelter initiative, because we have to know what we’re supporting. I mean, it’s great we support the principles, but will the Minister provide me and perhaps even the Standing Committee of Social Programs a copy of this report done on the day shelter so that we can get down to the root problems and try to solve some of them? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, wish to make special recognition of a couple of people here today. Of course I would like to recognize Chase Yakeleya, who is a good friend of my kids. I as well would like to recognize someone special in the gallery: Kate Wilson. We’ve been good friends for many, many years; way back when we used to be neighbours in Willow Wood. Hello, Kate.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to return to item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

---Unanimous consent granted

In my statement earlier today I referred to the fact of many of the problems that have been happening over there. Will the Minister of Finance, through his channels, through the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority, work to ensure and certainly enshrine the issues that I’ve highlighted, that we want a system that is safe, respectful, positive and definitely commits to doing referrals? Because right now the John Howard sees they’re meeting their objectives by just having the door open. Unfortunately, I think that there are a lot more steps required: safety, staff free of abuse, and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement today I reminded the House, and I will continue to remind the House, that I am a very strong supporter of the downtown day shelter. I can tell you many businesses as well as downtown residents support the principles of why the downtown day shelter exists. This is why I continue this issue with the Minister of Health and Social Services, to raise the awareness, but also ensure that it’s a safe, respectful and positive environment.

The lofty goals set out by the department, of course, were very simple. As I read earlier today: a warm, safe place...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to continue a discussion today on the downtown day shelter. Back in my December 13th Member’s statement and questions, I asked the government about its intention to extend the much needed services that are provided by the downtown day shelter to people who are homeless. In the Minister’s reply he talked about the department’s intention to continue that partnership with the City of Yellowknife, but he also continues to go on in the context of once the review is done, they will continue that funding.

It’s no surprise to anyone in this House, and certainly the...

Although the Minister didn’t answer the question, I will thank him for the point he emphasizes, that we need that service in the size and the magnitude of the problem. That’s only just one element. We’ve got lots of health services that go there. My point being is that we have an active role and you’d think as their client that they would be very interested in our opinion. I’d like to reaffirm my question, similar to Mrs. Groenewegen’s earlier, which is: What type of active role is this Minister going to take in this particular problem and will he join the lobby effort by the Alberta...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is the Minister saying to this House that they’re now involved in this particular observation and discussion and evaluation of the Edmonton Garrison solution? I think it is a viable solution and I just want to make sure our government is involved in the final decision. Even if it’s a small voice on there, it needs to be a voice at that table. Thank you.

Thank you. Last term our government did mention or at least talked about their somewhat willingness and participation in the Health Quality Council in Alberta in their dialogue and overview of services, and the Alberta province itself says until we have a solution we won’t be closing the Muni. This is a solution, but part of that relationship would be that the Health Council of Alberta is the Northwest Territories government through the Minister of Health’s office was formulating some relationship on this particular subject and it may have been weak, but at the same time they were still...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize a constituent of Yellowknife Centre, the former Member for Mackenzie Delta and a guy that could out-talk everybody in this Assembly, and certainly a guy who knows a heck of a lot of the goings on in the Northwest Territories, the one and only Mr. Krutko.