Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this number's one of those things you could make a lot of fun out of it. But to get right down to the nitty-gritty is is there a way to get this number revisited? Because I don't know anybody who could travel on medical travel and only eat their full day's worth of meals for $18. So in other words, would the Minister be willing to go back and look at the inflationary costs of what even a basic meal costs to ensure our citizens are treated fairly and respectfully? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, recently I was looking at the medical travel expense claim form, and I was looking at this form and I noticed the -- a constituent drew to my attention that the daily rate for meals is $18. It's hard to imagine, Mr. Speaker. And they pointed out to me, they said, you know, if I went to McDonald's, that would be the $18, buying a quarter pounder with cheese or, you know, some type of Big Mac, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, my question for the Minister of Health and Social Services is when was the last time this daily rate was ever looked at? Thank you, Mr. Speaker...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So approximately 1,400. I like round numbers so whether it's, you know, 1,208 or, you know, 1,440. 1,400 is a nice number. So, Mr. Speaker -- it's a clear number, sorry, not a nice number.

Can the Minister give some details on how many businesses, and northern businesses to be specific, will be impacted by the closure of these three mines? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I raise it again because it's so important. If there are propane tanks there, open fires, jerry cans, all within reach, Mr. Speaker, and garbage spewing everywhere and, in my opinion, some difficult living conditions, can the Minister provide this House, if not verbally today, some statistics and data on how often these sites are all individually inspected and what have been the results from each individual inspection with some dates? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask questions to the Minister of ECC about encampments.

Mr. Speaker, the GNWT has designated Commissioner's land as a place to go, so in other words they're actually sanctioning encampments on Commissioner's land. And by directing them in that particular area, there must be some responsibility that is taken. So knowing for a fact there are propane tanks, jerry cans stored properly -- improperly to be clear, open fires, and there's waste that's spilling on to private property that the private property owners have to be now responsible for, what...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Where do I begin my disagreement? There are so many spots. But I have to pick one; I'll start with the last one.

Shame on the government saying that they're going to vote -- you know, take this recommendation, abstain from it. At least be on the record that you're voting it down. It's a shame. Politicians are meant to make decisions, and often I see the -- when people abstain, such as the Cabinet, the citizens see it as a very sincere disappointment. At least stand somewhere on the issue.

Mr. Speaker, the decision made by -- or I should rather coin it as the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Pharmacy Act update, including the regulations, is very important to me and many of the constituents that I talk to about this, and they would like to be able to see the system move faster and more responsive. Can the Minister tell me that -- is the regulation update the only thing holding this from being implemented? Or sorry, I should say, Mr. Speaker, holding it back from being implemented? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Transitional housing, given what I've heard today, sounds like the whole idea is to help you out. But is it to help you out just to get you in the public system forever, or is it designed to help you out so you can become independent and, you know, a contributor or balance the appropriate needs in your lifestyle and your family in the community on your own with the independence philosophy? Can the Minister help with that? Because all I know is people, once they get into transitional housing, it's almost like they're there forever. So I need some clarity on that. Thank...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm going to ask the Minister of housing about transitional housing. So why don't we just start with the question, what is the minister's understanding or definition of transitional housing? Because we hear that phrase all the time. So we want to make sure we're talking about the same thing and the right thing. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I think what was missed in that really good extensive and long answer was when was the last time this number was looked at. Maybe I'll ask it this way: When was it $18 a day for your meal per diem, the whole meal day; when was that set? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.