Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm glad to hear the Minister's now converting to the Minister of process because it seems to come out on almost every answer that the process will be led by the process once we're convened on the process.

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister be more specific because the encampment was removed, in large part, out of the way months ago. Furthermore, I think there with a lone holdout still wouldn't have caused an issue. That said, there must have been a real reason that contract had not started. And I'm asking what's the delay because ultimately, Mr. Speaker, I want to know who...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Because I like asking questions to the Minister of housing, I think I'm going to ask another one.

It's been taking a long time, glacial pace, to get the Aspen Building project up and running. My understanding is the doors were just kicked open the other day, and the contractors start -- finally started work on that. Can the Minister start off our discussion today with what's actually happening and when's that project anticipated to be completed. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I don't want to chew up too much more time but it just seems like, well, we're going to examine this. I mean, we could be in the -- we could be in the 22nd Assembly from the sounds of the way that the government's moving so quickly on this. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister be willing to commit to bring back a decision and direction before the end of this current sitting showing that we're done talking about this idea and be willing to make a decision? That would be grateful to me and an immense amount of Northerners who would appreciate this gesture. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to follow up on a question I had asked the Minister of housing some time ago. I had written her an email about naming one of the downtown buildings the Whitford Building. I again brought it up in October asking about that. I talked about the policy, non-policy constraints, other than the fact that she wanted to say there's a process. Frankly, the Minister is in charge of this process, can present to Cabinet with not just one building that's established, but we also have three more -- or sorry, two more buildings coming on stream in the near future...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just briefly I want to thank the committee on their work and, of course, acknowledge the future work on this particular initiative. That said, under recommendation number 2 I just want to make a quick observation. This is an area I've seen for years, which is an opportunity for the chief electoral officer to engage with others -- other partners. This one specifically notes the NWT Association of Communities. I certainly support that. And I would also say there's a great opportunity to bolster and support the elections office by seeing if we could partner with...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The reason I'm going to the Premier is, first, he's the head of the government in the context of Cabinet; it also sews over many departments and it's difficult -- I'd be here for weeks and months if not trying to get every Minister through the cycle of asking questions hence I'm trying to point them.

So what type of Cabinet direction is being provided or what could be provided with respect to the concerns raised? I could go through them. I think the Premier's well versed in them or at least aware of them, generally speaking. But I want to emphasize just on one micro...

Mr. Speaker, by saying I would never be petty implies I am being petty. And as such, I leave it for the House to make the decision. I think the most honourable thing, and request I'm asking for, is an acknowledgement that that phrase targeted me was inappropriate, and I would accept any apology if given or whatever decision of the House seems appropriate. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, it could never be said enough that our interpreters and translators do an important job, and sometimes I don't know how they keep up with us when we get going but acknowledging one particular translator, Ms. Sarah Cleary, she's a constituent and she's a translator extraordinaire, grateful for her services and her kind friendship. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my written question is for the Premier is with respect to cost of living impacting all Northerners; and further, what action or actions being taken by this government, and the previous government, covering the last two years prior to Cabinet assuming office in December 2023.

As we all know, Mr. Speaker, the cost of living has impacted all residents either directly or indirectly and the government plays a role in helping its citizens in whatever form it can. Lowing taxes, reducing the cost of any program/service or eliminating certain fees would make the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Maybe the Minister can speak to what the timelines actually mean when they refer to transformation. Because when I tell the public they're transforming, nobody really knows what that means. And definitions and wording mean everything hence can the Minister explain what transforming from the intent of an Aurora College into a polytech means in a manner that the public can appreciate, because a lot of people are really confused by that definition. Thank you.