Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At this time, I would like to recognize members from the UNW, Mr. Todd Parsons, Mr. Ken Woodley and Ms. Gayla Wick. I would also make special mention to David Wind, our newly elected city councilor just above me. Vivian Squires, YK Seniors; and Ed Jeske, one of our fine seniors in Yellowknife. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Conservative government promised many things when they ran in the last election and, in fairness, they are delivering on many of the promises regardless of what political stripes you wear. The key platform they had was to stand up for Canadians and that resonated everywhere. At least it was the very theme of their campaign. But like all good advertisements and slogans, you have to read the fine print. Maybe they had a disclaimer as to which Canadians or issues they were standing up for, but as always the devil truly is in the details. The Conservative government...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll pay specific note to that. My apologies in that regard. Mr. Speaker, if I rephrase my question it is, how does the Minister show the true independence of a health board by him not sitting on the board as chairperson and still being a sitting Minister? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, the Minister is correct, because it uses the word “may.” You know, the Minister may establish a board. But we’re talking about the spirit and the intent of the act. Because what’s evolved out of this process of once the board has dissolved, he’s right; the trustee has been made trustee for life. It’s time that we get on and appoint a public board. The spirit and the intent of the act does not describe sort of a relationship where the Minister should sit as the board chair. So, Mr. Speaker, maybe the Minister could then refer to me where this is not considered a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to recognize a few people in the gallery today. A friend of mine, Mr. Daryl Dolynny.

---Applause

With him today he’s bringing several relatives, I believe his aunt and uncle, Mike and Vicky Dolynny...

---Applause

…and with them more relatives, Rose and Herbert Holgate. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Welcome everyone.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the first day of this session I had an interesting exchange with the Minister of Health and Social Services on the need for an independent board to watch over the operations of the Stanton Territorial Hospital. Mr. Speaker, all public hospitals in Canada have independent public boards. On the face of it, using the Joint Leadership Council, which is made up of the chairpersons of the health authorities, ensuring regional perspectives are brought to the table is a great idea. I think it’s an efficient use of resources, boards and administration, Mr. Speaker.

However...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, I can truly understand why the Health Minister would say that his perspective is the board, or I should say Stanton is functioning quite well, because he’s sort of running it. So through the deputy minister. So why would he think anything else? I guess, really, my final question, Mr. Speaker, in a timely way will be, would the Minister do the right thing and eliminate any concerns that I’ve arisen here, whether implied or not? Would he appoint, in the spirit and intent of the act, an independent board; I don’t have a problem with the JLC, but an independent board...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, it’s in my view that there seems to be some difficulty. I see this as a conflict, in my humble opinion. Although I’m not a lawyer, and I just, you know, I don’t have those skills to define that, but I see it as a perceived concern where the Minister sits there. I’d like to see where the Minister shows me in the act of a timely way and mechanism for the reappointment of a board that’s an independent public board. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions will be directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services and I’ll be asking him questions regarding the spirit and intent of the act that empowers this Minister. So, Mr. Speaker, knowing, as I said, the spirit and intent of the act recognizes health authorities, maybe we could trouble the Minister today to explain to us where in this act it shows that he should be the chair of Stanton Territorial Hospital when it talks about appointments of board members to hospital boards. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. As I said, the Minister has the ultimate responsibility of his department and the authorities. I believe if he chairs the Stanton board the Minister could be perceived as being in a position of conflict where he cannot show objective thinking where it may be compromised in their discussions. That will lead us nowhere and yet it will make the board look silly.

What does he really want, Mr. Speaker? He should be Minister, which he’s appointed to now. The role of the board is to provide strategic direction to ensure regional perspectives are brought...