Robert Hawkins

Just one last question, Mr. Speaker. As far as the communications regarding the reliability of the programs we offer — our power program, that is — can I get some feedback as to when the Minister can provide this communication strategy? Would he be willing to see if he could provide it before the end of this session, which is almost three weeks?

Mr. Speaker, I referred in my Member’s statement about one of the problems with the NWT Power Corp as I see it. We know there are consistently three problems, which are rates, as just highlighted by the other Member; reliability, as I suggested in my statement; and certainly communication, which has come out quite clearly in the riding in the last week.

To the third issue I’d like to ask the Minister Responsible for the NWT Power Corporation: would he look into setting up a communication strategy and plan so we can ensure that our residents can get timely information if there is a power outage...

Mr. Speaker, residents of Yellowknife have had a very concerning experience recently. With the air temperature below minus 40 Celsius, a total power outage happened. The city sat in total darkness for over an hour in many areas before it was restored. Yellowknife continues to get blackouts from time to time, and it’s a topic that has been raised in this House before. This case was extreme, because it was caused at a very serious time of our year, and it bothered many constituents in my riding. In these temperatures that are so cold, it doesn’t take long before the cold sweeps into your home...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have always, in principle, been a big supporter of the Deh Cho Bridge project. I think it’s a good project. Mr. Speaker, there were a lot of problems associated with this project and, as I understand it, there were still 12 outstanding issues. If the Minister is not prepared to give me an answer on every single one of those 12 issues that are still outstanding today, will he provide Members details on every one of those issues and how we are remedying them in the next few days? Can he provide that by the end of next week? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to return to oral questions. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last term I talked about the need for a territorial arts and cultural achievement award evening. It could be a focus or a way we could pinnacle our arts achievements throughout the Northwest Territories; whether it be culture, whether it be in the sense of visual arts, whether it be crafts. Mr. Speaker, the former Minister of Education, Culture and Employment was supportive of this initiative and, of course, the department, as I understood it, was working towards something. I’d like to ask the new and current Minister of the Department of Education, is...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Where is it on the departmental priority list, the internal priority list, Mr. Speaker, on establishing a treatment centre here in Yellowknife and in Inuvik? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s statement today, I talked about the need for residential treatment programs here in the Northwest Territories that focus in on youth and family. Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health and Social Services was on this side of the House last term, so she is well aware that a motion that went forward that supported the treatment centre built in Yellowknife and in Inuvik and, of course, underlying all of that, not only being the Minister now, she had the experience of being the chair of the Social Programs so she understands the need of these...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the people concerned about the 12 outstanding issues I don’t think are in any way concerned about the bridge in principle. It is more about the nuts and bolts of this agreement to make sure it is online and on track. So, Mr. Speaker, I heard the willingness of the Minister to provide this. I just want to get some timelines on when we can actually see this document in front of us so we can really understand the fullness of what has been fully committed to this project. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Deh Cho Bridge has been a topic of much debate the last few days and I believe the November 30th date was to be a very important and critical date. I would like to know if the Minister of Transportation could give us an update on the status of the Deh Cho Bridge project to find out where it sits. Thank you.