Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to give a Member’s statement today. First off, I’d like to congratulate you in taking the helm of the Assembly. I look forward to your leadership in the Assembly for the next four years. I’m quite pleased that you’ve assumed this role and I feel I have every confidence in what you’ll be doing for us here in the leadership role.

Mr. Speaker, next I’d like to acknowledge the constituents of Yellowknife Centre, and sincere thanks goes out to them for the opportunity to serve them in this 17th Legislative Assembly. Yellowknife Centre, in my belief...

Centre. You’re always right, Mr. Speaker, don’t worry.

---Laughter

It’s the only way to do this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a list and I’ll run through them really quickly. Certainly I’d like to acknowledge Sandra Taylor, president of the YK Seniors; Vivian Squires, executive director of the YK Seniors. Thanks, Mr. McLeod, for recognizing Ed Jeske, Mr. Hockey; Chief Superintendent Wade Blake; Jenny and Dave Tucker, neighbours up there; Phila Fyten, she works with the Commissioner’s Office; Floyd Adlem, who was our piper today; Monique Marinier, that would be Tom Beaulieu’s partner; Lorraine...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Mr. Menicoche.

The committee reviewed the following reports of the Auditor General:

Report on the NWT Housing Corporation: Public Housing and Ownership Program - 2008;

Report on Contracting for Goods and Services in the NWT - 2009;

Report on Education of the Northwest Territories - 2010;

Report on the Northwest Territories Deh Cho Bridge Project - 2011;

Report on Northwest Territories Health Programs and Services - 2011.

The committee continues to monitor the issues identified in the Report on Contracting for Goods and Services. Progress on the issues...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize, once again, the two Pages from Yellowknife Centre. We have Emma Ouellette and Edward Esau. I certainly hope they’ve enjoyed their time here paging at the Assembly. I know many of us have appreciated their help and the services they provide. As well, we appreciate all the Pages and the work that they do, so I want to thank them personally.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to use my final Member’s statement to thank a lot of people over the last four years.

Firstly, as I entered this building I thanked the citizens of Yellowknife Centre, and I’d like to begin the same way by finishing this term by thanking the constituents of Yellowknife Centre, the many friends and the seniors who constantly provide advice and support through the years. As we all know, we deal with challenging issues and sometimes very emotional and stressful issues, and many of my constituents have provided much needed advice and support through those and have...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Some months ago the Minister of Health and Social Services announced the suspension of midwifery services in Yellowknife. This was not welcome news for many women and families who had benefited from the services and those who would like to plan for the future. A recent petition supporting the program had 304 signatures. To me that speaks out loud and clear about how important the services are.

When midwifery services were first offered in Yellowknife, it was part of a plan to expand the Midwifery Program that began in Fort Smith, to reach out to other centres across our...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister talked about the money, you know, and I hate to think that the Health Minister, although oddly enough it’s the same as the Finance Minister, but are they going to invest some financial analysis into this study, report, and into the planning? In most cases it’s more affordable for the Government of the Northwest Territories to have a midwife providing the services than either flying the mother in from a community or flying a doctor into a community. Even in Yellowknife it’s more affordable having a midwife providing these services than an average doctor.

Jus...

It’s my understanding that the midwife in Fort Smith has been able to deliver at least half of the babies each and every year. It’s turned into quite a heralded success and, as we all know, I’m certainly glad I’m bending the ear of the Finance Minister at the same time. It’s a better choice on financial resources to use a midwife than it is to use a typical doctor. Perhaps, maybe the Minister can outline the objectives of how we are trying to translate the success in Fort Smith into Yellowknife and the territory as a whole. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to take a moment to recognize a couple of people. I’d like to recognize Chief Tsetta. I believe he’s up there in the gallery; I saw him a moment ago. He’s the chief for Dettah, as we all know. I’d also like to make special note of Lee Mandeville. He’s with the Dene Nation. And a long-time friend of mine, Sonny Lenoir. We were kids together growing up in Fort Simpson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s with regret that I’ll say that at this time I’m unable to support this motion. I’m concerned about the delay and the suggestion of the delay. You don’t have to be a Conservative to recognize that the Conservative Government is trying to help this territory with devolution. Any further delay or intentions or signals from this House that we want a delay or any stoppage of the devolution agreements on file could set us back years.

Undoubtedly, I would say I’ve always supported the aspirations of the Aboriginal peoples and self-government. I continue to say that today...