Robert Hawkins

Mr. Speaker, I am confused if the Minister thinks it only has to come from the mayor, not MLAs. I mean, I am concerned about the less value it's viewed on our opinion, Mr. Speaker. The question is, the GNWT paid 75 to 25 cent dollars on the Highway No. 9 project. It should include the city of Yellowknife because this legislature is paying it. Will the Minister agree to investigate and discuss with colleagues, such as myself, to make sure the city of Yellowknife's interest is represented in this initiative, this territorial initiative? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to return to the Minister of strategic infrastructure. And my next round of questioning is going to be framed around who is representing the city of Yellowknife's interest in the 50 percent of our economy, Mr. Speaker.

Will the Minister of strategic infrastructure sign a memorandum of agreement, or a cooperation partnership agreement, with the City of Yellowknife to ensure 50 percent of the northern economy doesn't get boxed out and becomes a partner, as pointed out by the infrastructure Minister earlier today?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I repeat the short words of the infrastructure Minister, connecting the North for the benefit of the Northerners. So, Mr. Speaker, my second question is not about excluding Indigenous partnership, it's including the city of Yellowknife in this big MOU. So why isn't the city of Yellowknife included in the routing conversation? Because this population represents 50 percent of the northern economy and 50 percent of the population, Mr. Speaker. It needs to be included in this conversation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will talk that offer. Mr. Speaker, is the Minister aware of the type of community policing that special constables provide outside of the regular standard RCMP officer. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, in a roundabout way, the Department of Justice used to support community initiatives such as Citizens on Patrol, Mr. Speaker. It was a program in collaboration with the RCMP. Would the Minister be willing to revisit this initiative that citizens appreciated where they felt like they were being part of the bigger community solution making our communities safe? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do want to note the tone of frustration wasn't intended at the Minister directly. I was kind of -- justice Minister. I was just hoping, and I think MLA -- my MLA colleague was hoping for a simple yes, we'll attend, not this long government answer.

Mr. Speaker, on the same topic, my question for the -- general topic, that is, Mr. Speaker, my question for the Minister respectfully is intended is this: Businesses are forced to deal with the cost of vandalism, shoplifting, etcetera, this is a cost passed on to the public. It's incurred the situation of hiring security...

Mr. Speaker, I have a whole set of questions, but I am not going to get to them. I am going to keep repeating the same question. MLA Testart has asked twice. I've asked once. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to ask it a fourth time.

Mr. Minister of Justice, I am asking, MLA Testart's asking you, would you please organize a community town hall meeting so people can speak about their vulnerability and have ideas and options through your department in partnership with the RCMP so we can feel empowered and feel safe in our community again. Would you be willing to do that at our request? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am going to start off with some interesting words: Confusion, anger, fear, frustration, hopelessness reinforced by the feelings of abandonment and vulnerability. Again, Mr. Speaker, the weight when someone tells me they feel vulnerable and abandoned by the process in the world we live in.

Mr. Speaker, many people know Yellowknife will never be the Old Yellowknife of old days but, Mr. Speaker, with my colleague from Range Lake, we wanted to hear the stories of up to 70 people. People showed up who are not regular people who come to these types of community events. They...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In brief, they provide community policing almost identical to RCMP but they are a better -- a more direct resource from the community. So, Mr. Speaker, would the Minister be willing to meet with the RCMP directly, including with colleagues like myself and Mr. Testart, to talk more about how we can support this initiative in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, in speaking to the chief superintendent about one of the things that could help the Northwest Territories policing division, and not just in Yellowknife, although that's important to me, but all the territory at large, would be special constables. Now, we currently have at least one that I am aware of. Mr. Speaker, what is this government doing to support that need and request by RCMP of getting more special constables into our communities? Thank you.