Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's been some time, I believe since September 2024, that the health department has changed the extended health benefits program, even though it was intended to roll in around May of that year of 2024. The pharmacists have pointed out, even as of recently, that the program still has problems and people are not accepting their full rights of say. In other words, they're not getting their prescriptions fully filled or they're considering other options because of this co-pay system.

Mr. Speaker, my question really is for the Minister of health, asking what type of review...

Mr. Speaker, a lot of people are waiting for that banner to be raised about the Tony Whitford building. Is there any reason why the department of housing did not set a deadline when to respond to -- with their particular recommendation, again, naming that new building the Tony Whitford building? Thank you.

Thank you. At the present time, not. But the question is, can the department go back and look at what's been done in the past. Have they done any analysis whatsoever? And if so, can the Minister provide this House that information. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to bring up one of my absolute favourite subjects, and I was driving downtown in the riding of Yellowknife Centre on 50th Street, and as I was admiring the posters on the future Tony Whitford building, and I'm looking forward to hearing from the Minister as to when that will officially be designated the Tony Whitford building. So obviously this is questions to the Minister of housing.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will support the motion. I am not suggesting by any ways that this should be a liquidation sale. But, I mean, some of these assets, to be frank, Mr. Speaker -- and you know this because you have communities that have challenges as well, you know, whether it's all the way up to Tsiigehtchic or Lutselk'e, the fact that some of these public housing units are troublesome and problematic and people want them, and if we need to get rid of them and they still want them, we should get them off the books. But I would also say, to be truthful, is be careful what you wish for...

I almost had a tear in my eye, Mr. Speaker, when the Premier talked about how great Yellowknife is. It was very emotional, and I want to thank the Premier for bringing me to a side I didn't realize. Mr. Speaker, the Premier spoke to massive investments through DND. Please enlighten the House as to what massive investments and development are we intending to see through that description he provided. Can he be specific? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be voting in favour of this motion. I like the spirit and intent of it. If anything, I have based my career on -- a lot of it was supporting seniors and elders, and any way to make their life better is certainly an issue, you know, I will take on, a fight I'll take on anytime. I have not forgotten the journey of those who have come before us, and to me it's an important story of their life that we must make sure that the winter of their life is not as burdened as much as possible.

As this is a public housing issue, I'm also worried -- and it gives us a chance to...

Mr. Speaker, the current dental review officer is out of Edmonton. They have no contact with the NWT dental association except when they fly into the community to administer dental justice.

So, Mr. Speaker, would the Minister review the individual's contract to ensure someone from Northwest Territories who is more familiar with the community's and the territory's issues, including the dental association people that they're practicing this justice on, will be considered a Northerner, at the very least, and possibly even go back to the college of dentistry to have someone competent enough to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two motions to read into the record. I'll obviously do one at a time. The first one is with respect to the Electoral Boundaries Commission. So, Mr. Speaker,

WHEREAS Tabled Document 483-20(1), 2025-2026 Electoral Boundaries Commission Final Report, has been tabled in this House;

AND WHEREAS the 2025-2026 Electoral Boundaries Commission Final Report requires detailed consideration;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that Tabled Document 483-20(1), 2025-2026 Electoral Boundaries Commission Final Report, be referred to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To help the Minister, the current dental review officer has a contract with the Northwest Territories. Can the Minister speak to their specific contract process? And if not, can she promise to get back to me in a timely way because I've waited since February 12th for this answer. Thank you.