Robert Hawkins

Mr. Speaker, it shows you how much attention the Minister of Transportation pays to the particular issue as well as the issue of me, because I don’t even sit on that committee, so yet another distraction to the issue.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister is quite vague on details as to what exactly and when this will be coming forward. It sounds like it is a hodgepodge. Quite clearly, this could be decided quite quickly. An amendment could come forward quite quickly. This opt in and out is not a decisive way of dealing with this issue. It is clearly a sitting on the fence way of dealing with this problem...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement today I raised the issue yet again regarding the concern of distracted driving and the fact that we don’t have an appropriate level of legislation that reflects banning cell phones while people are driving. I continue to raise this issue with the Minister of Transportation. I am well aware that there is some discussion out there regarding maybe we will have a law, maybe we won’t have a law. Quite honestly, I am starting to wonder that perhaps maybe the Minister is waiting until either cell phones become obsolete or certainly perhaps he is...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise again today to continue to raise the issue of lack of legislative guidance to regulate the usage of cell phones while people are operating vehicles. What continues to be clear is, first, this problem is not a fad. Secondly, other responsible governments across this country continue to mount active campaigns through legislation to address this problem.

I’ve been asked by many, how long does personal lifestyle continue to trump the real concerns of public safety? We must patiently await the Minister of Transportation to answer that question, the question and call...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I have often said, the government has the D problem, the deferred, delay, deny. I can go on forever. The Minister says he is watching Alberta about what they do, but, Mr. Speaker, where is the leadership from the Department of Transportation; more specifically, the Minister? Six other provinces have initiated a process and gone forward and taken action on this particular issue, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure what the Minister is waiting for.

Mr. Speaker, when can we see a legislative proposal that actually shows that the Department of Transportation is taking this issue...

Mr. Speaker, what type of public campaign or information awareness campaign does the GNWT provide for the citizens of the Northwest Territories here so they know they could consider this option? How are they approached on the particular subject? I have been made aware that most people don’t know anything about it. I would like to find out what the government is doing to make sure that it is available, whether people want to register for kidney donation or other types of matters, that they know where to go and what to do and how our government supports that. What does the government actually do...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like my colleague Mr. Abernethy, Member for Great Slave, I, too, wish to speak to the issue of stem cell challenge clinics here in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, over the lunch hour, I actually went down with a group of friends to meet this challenge head on. Several of us wanted to ensure that we participated, because many of us believe that this is an important program that does save lives. Mr. Speaker, sadly, as we know very well, more people die waiting for a donor than receive them and we certainly wish that wasn’t the case.

Mr. Speaker, the process really...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommends that the guidelines governing the use of laptop computers and hand-held electronic devices be set out in a document entitled Direction Regarding the Use of Electronic Communication Devices in Committee of the Whole and that the document be attached as an appendix to the rules of the Legislative Assembly.

That’s the final motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommends that any electronic device used in the Chamber must be on silent mode at all times.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, Committee Report 2-16(5), Report on the Use of Laptop Computers and Hand-Held Electronic Devices in the Legislative Assembly, was read into the record yesterday, May 19, 2010, and subsequently moved into Committee of the Whole for further discussion.

Mr. Chairman, I am now prepared to introduce four motions and recommendations by the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures in their report. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I just want to say one brief thing, which is this is a significant move forward, I believe, in democracy. I believe strongly that this will provide a new dimension to bringing the voice of the people of the North to this Assembly. We will be able to reach one corner to another on a particular issue to ensure that it will be heard on the floor of this House. An example of the rest of Canada and North America should take hold of and watch as we proceed forward to see how it works. This could be a scary adventure for some, but I believe this is an...