Robert Hawkins

Statements in Debates

Debates of , (day 8)

All I can say is the Premier will expect that question tomorrow, so that’s his notice on this question.

Mr. Speaker, to ensure maximum conservation on the part of this government, given the new reality, I want to hear what this Minister has to say about mandatory reporting and monitoring of all government agencies, boards and departments. Do we do this? If not, why not? What do we do with this information that we get to ensure we conserve to our maximum ability? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , (day 8)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Minister. We’ve all heard the saying many hands make light work. We all know if these many hands turn off those light switches that I talked about or turned off those ignitions to stop making cars idle, we will save a lot of money. So those many hands will be contributing to those lower costs to run these facilities and cars. So my concern last year was what was their policy and action plan. We now find ourselves in peril where fuel prices are skyrocketing. So my question for the Minister is -- and all residents of the Northwest Territories want to...

Debates of , (day 8)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a pleasure that I recognize three constituents that I could see from my vantage point. The Right Reverend Bishop Sperry; one of my favourite feisty seniors, Ed Jeske; and Lydia Bardak who wears so many hats there is nowhere to start. So thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Debates of , (day 8)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two written questions. The first written question is to the chairman of the Financial Management Board.

Would the chairman consider creating a task force to look at how end-of-year expenditures by department can be better controlled to ensure public money is not being spent for unnecessary items or to avoid lapsing funds?

Debates of , (day 8)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I formally have to compliment the Minister because there wasn’t any rhetoric in that. That was action I heard. Finally we are getting down to the nitty-gritty. I would like to add one more initiative we are doing.

Mr. Speaker, granted we can’t control the market rates of the fuel out there, but we can do something. Is this Minister going to lead with direction from his position as chair of the FMB and attach a performance appraisal to all deputy ministers under this initiative to show that their management in this situation is attached to their bonuses?...

Debates of , (day 8)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise on the heels of my Member’s statement given earlier today. I asked the Finance Minister, Minister Roland, last year what this government is doing to monitor energy consumption, referring to both power, fuel and oil with respect to GNWT assets. He replied that the government, through budgeting exercises, looked at the consumption of our resources, whether it be heating oil, electrical, water and sewer targeted areas where the government thinks it could be saving. Does the Minister of FMB have any numbers indicating the savings that the government has achieved...

Debates of , (day 8)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, am pleased to be back in this House today after a long break doing constituency work, et cetera. Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention a warm welcome to Mr. Lafferty from Monfwi. I’ve known him a long time, since our Akaitcho Hall days, and I can say truly that he’ll be a great contribution to this House and to the Tlicho people. I can say that with a full heart.

Mr. Speaker, I’m going to bring up the fact that almost a year ago today I rose on a statement to express deep concern about world oil prices and the effects that can cause crises elsewhere...

Debates of , (day 7)

Madam Speaker, I was so inspired with the happy answers from the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, I was inspired to write a written question. These questions are in reference to the past two fiscal years and are limited to the Yellowknife region only.

My question is for the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation:

What is the total number of people turned away from the program, either disqualified by the department or the financial institution used to apply for a mortgage?

Of the number declined from the EDAP, what number were results of lack of available...

Debates of , (day 7)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will say thank you, Mr. Minister, for moving forward on that issue.

---Applause

Thank you, good Minister. Madam Speaker, would the Minister…I’m overwhelmed at this moment. He’s budged. Madam Speaker, the question I want to ask is would the Minister agree today to at his earliest convenience by next week, can he update this sort of Yellowknife information that I had requested in my written question of March 9th, which is asking the details on the Yellowknife recipients? So would he update the letter he had sent me under his signature that there was some typos in?...

Debates of , (day 7)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, my questions will be for the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, the Honourable David Krutko. Madam Speaker, I am still concerned that there is zero transparency on this program and I’m not even sure I can quote any numbers because we don’t even know if they’re all correct. I’ve never been replied to with a new profile, a signed letter to say that they’re all correct. So, Madam Speaker, the point of transparency still stands. Will this Minister hear me when I say confidentiality is not an issue to be hiding behind, because if he goes...