Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today, I spoke about my constituent, Ms. Carmen Tees, who is in the gallery today who is suffering from MS, as well as depression, austio arthritis, sleep apnea, and she’s shut in most of the year. She is not allowed to move into the new apartment building that is barrier free because she has a cat. Mr. Speaker, I have two small points to make. The Yellowknife Housing Authority has made a no pet policy for this building and that is a human rights breach. Mr. Speaker, I would like to hear the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation position of whether...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. May I begin today by reminding all Members today is red Friday and I am wearing a red tie to honour our Canadian Armed Forces.

Mr. Speaker, in 1859, Florence Nightingale, the famous founder of our modern nursing profession, promoted the important role pets play in therapy. She said a small pet animal is often an excellent companion for the sick, especially those battling long, chronic conditions. Since then, many studies have proved the benefit of human-animal bonds. Medical and emotional improvements have been recognized as a result of therapeutic value found in pet...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In following my Member's statement today about the concern of Tamerlane not being able to hook up to clean hydro energy, Mr. Speaker, I have questions to the Minister of the Power Corp. The first question would be: Can the Minister of the Power Corp tell me if the Power Corporation is mandated to make a profit and how do they justify not selling surplus power to Tamerlane Ventures? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to talk about Tamerlane and the Tantalus tragedy. When I think of the Tamerlane Ventures and their attempt to get hydro power from the NWT Power Corporation, I’m reminded of the Greek myth of Tantalus, whose punishment is now synonymous with temptation without satisfaction. The Greek gods punished Tantalus by forcing him to stand in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree with low branches. Whenever he reached for the fruit, Mr. Speaker, the branches raised his intended meal from his grasp. Whenever he bent down to get a drink, the water drained from his...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister brings interesting news, because the vice-president had just recently told me that they are not in any type of discussions to formalize any type of power agreement. So could the Minister at least take back this as a commitment to look into this a little further and to make sure that we are proceeding with this? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. The Minister of the NWT Power Corporation has told us that in order to bring down power rates, we need a large customer base. Well, here’s an opportunity to expand the customer base, but the Power Corporation won’t sell power to this potential customer that has deep pockets and is certainly willing to pay. But, Mr. Speaker, we’ll certainly put the cost of power generation on our citizens at a 12 percent power rate.

Mr. Speaker, just like the intended hydro plan bill about running clean power up to the diamond mines, let’s seize this opportunity...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance.

During the winter road closure and in the absence of ferry service, automotive and home heating oil prices in Yellowknife have continued to rise without re-supply.

Please provide examples of past and current instances where the government has intervened on behalf of the consumer in order to prevent price gouging of fuel costs and please provide a detailed list of the legislation used to do so.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, again I think the Minister underscores the oddity here; whereas we pay for the surgery but we don't pay for the treatment. I mean it becomes completely irrelevant at that point. Why do the surgery? It's confusing, Mr. Speaker. So my last question to the Minister is, what will it take this Minister to recognize and identify that this is a real issue to go on our extended health benefits? Does he require letters from mothers? Does he require a motion in this House? Does he require camping out at his doorstep? Does he require a petition? What would this...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, clearly, this is a problem having a club foot in the Northwest Territories. There may not be an epidemic, but it is an issue, Mr. Speaker, and, further, it’s an issue that we could solve; it’s something within our reach. So, Mr. Speaker, what is the apprehension of adding club foot to our extended health benefits? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, once again I am rising in this Assembly to speak about the inequities of our NWT health care system. Our health professionals do a fantastic job meeting our northerners’ needs. However, like me, they also have trouble comprehending the logic of what is covered and not covered by NWT health care. I raise the issue of constituents with a child born with club feet who were told that the government would pay for all surgeries needed to correct the condition, but the government would not pay for the required braces needed between the surgeries. I am pleased to say, through the...