Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It sure sounds like a lot of work is being done, but nothing is being done or accomplished. Mr. Speaker, we could be building this facility now. I think the issue really at hand is what is slowing us down. I can’t see why we would have stalled some type of sod turning just because there was an election. The fact is it sounds like we have delayed this. What is the Minister telling us today? Is there going to be a project? If so, when are we going to start by sod turning, launching it, announcing it, etcetera? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my next set of questions will be directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services regarding the dementia centre. Mr. Speaker, the dementia centre has been a dream of many people in the city of Yellowknife to see built. It has been developed. It has been worked on for many years. It keeps getting stalled and redeveloped. It never seems to move forward. So, Mr. Speaker, I would like an update from the Minister of Health and Social Services. What is happening with this project? Can we expect anything to actually finally move forward on this...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the answer from the Minister, but the real question is that NACC is a territorial organization. Although, yes, it is established here in Yellowknife and for a long time quite a community organization, but they make every effort they can to get out throughout the Northwest Territories. They involve youth and culture. The fray of the complement of exciting things they pride are many, but the fact is that their funding doesn’t meet the times and the needs. Would the Minister commit to seriously evaluating this problem to make sure that we can...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister be willing to share the proposal that this person has for marching orders to find out what the issues are, as well as when does he expect this report to be finalized and presented to the House or to committee? Thank you.

Yes, I do. Mr. Speaker, we have the affordability sense from the day cares of being able to have stable funding. So would the Minister be able to initiate a review to look into this problem to make sure funding is stable for these organizations and that parents can afford this? Will he look into this and create a review of this current state that we’re having? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment this afternoon. In my statement today I spoke about the challenges working families have and are faced with day to day with trying to find competent, affordable, quality childcare. Mr. Speaker, we only have about 1,200 childcare spaces in the NWT and families are not able to afford them. I’d like to know what the Minister is doing, if he’s aware of this problem, and what initiatives is he taking on to follow up and deal with this problem of childcare spaces and affordability of those spaces....

Mr. Speaker, may I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like the commitment or at least the clear assurance in this House by the Minister that people with disabilities aren’t put on the backburner, that their needs or requirements aren’t put off to the shelf and ignored. So can I get that clear commitment in this House today, because I don’t think that they should be? I just want to make sure that it’s absolutely clear. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, about two weeks ago, I sent an e-mail to the Minister of Health and Social Services regarding some disabled constituents of mine. They are looking for some assistance regarding any support programs we have on the books or in existence, because they want to get an assisted dog to help them with their disability. One is in a wheelchair and the second one needs an assisted dog because they can’t walk properly due to a lot of reasons. But the e-mail hasn’t been answered. So I guess the question for today is, will the Minister be responding to my question?...