Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Upon that perfect answer I'm anticipating, is the Minister prepared to bring forward some type of initiative to address this problem? Because Northerners are tired of calling phone numbers and no one answers, and then when it does leave a message, no one phones them back, and they have to drive there to get appointments. Can you imagine how difficult it is for someone in the communities? So is the Minister willing to bring a timely initiative once we get an answer on this perplexing question why we can't do things when we really should be able to. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, you can book at least one clinic here in Yellowknife. I looked up in Vancouver -- I said, Vancouver online booking medical appointments, and all of a sudden my Google was flooded with options, Mr. Speaker. So maybe the Minister can explain to the House, but not just to the House, to Northerners, what is the obstruction specifically that's stopping the government from making the system more user friendly for the end user which are the citizens, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, I'll accept that. If the Minister could also elaborate in a manner of, say, staffing capacity, things along that, contractual obligations, whether it's janitorial, whether it's support services, so I'm just looking at an overall cost of, yes, it costs X dollars, but this is what it takes to run it. If we could get sort of that compendium of information, I'll just leave it as a block rather than trying to tie up three or four more minutes of trying to make sure I hit every I and cross every T. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize the students of Aurora College. That's an excellent campus downtown in the Yellowknife Centre riding. It's not exclusive in Yellowknife. Yes, we have a campus college in Fort Smith and Inuvik, but today we have the Yellowknife students. Hooray.

Also, Mr. Speaker, I'd also like to recognize a constituent, Corinna -- it looks like Pookas. I haven't met her but that said, I'd like to -- or Puskas, my apologies. Corinna Puskas and our -- seeing our proceedings before the House. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'll tell you what, I won't belabour this point on the TTC, but I would like maybe just one clarification which is when can we anticipate some type of idea or plan, proposal, of this particular initiative and that probably would be enough specific to the TTC. Thank you.

Thank you. And I thank both the Minister and the deputy minister for that. Is it -- or assistant deputy minister, although the last time I kept calling someone a higher title, they got the job so maybe it's good luck.

So more specifically, Mr. Chairman, can the assistant deputy minister or the Minister enlighten me as to two parts: The first part being the specific date on when the wellness recovery centre will open but, furthermore, what purpose are they working towards initiating a revised service at the TTC. In other words, is it compatible, does it work together, does it work in tandem...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS Section 23(1) of the Human Rights Act provides that the Commissioner, on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly, shall appoint an executive director of the Human Rights Commission to carry out the responsibilities set out in the Human Rights Act;

AND WHEREAS the board of management is tasked with recommending an individual to the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Assembly is prepared to make a recommendation to the Commissioner;

AND WHEREAS the term of the current executive director of the Human Rights Commission is set to expire.

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Thursday, October 31st, 2024, I will move the following motion:

Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that the Legislative Assembly recommends the reappointment of Ms. Nicole MacNeil of Yellowknife as executive director of the Human Rights Commission during good behaviour for a term of four years as recommended by the board of management;

And furthermore, that the Speaker be authorized to communicate the effective date of the appointment to the Commissioner.

And Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be seeking...

Mr. Speaker, so in other words, is the government planning to lay these employees off noting that the official paperwork of layoff notices isn't given but this 21-week articulation of be aware of, well just be aware, and we don't know yet. So I need to understand, was it just a shout out over their bow to say we're not laying you off today but we don't have a plan, which means there may not be a job for you? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was getting phone calls, text messages, yesterday from people in the South Slave, more particularly in -- both in Hay River and Fort Smith, regarding the layoff notice the given to the Fort Smith correctional centre staff. And if I remember correctly, 32 employees work there. The finance Minister did say during Committee of the Whole back in June that they were pausing it with an uncosted plan, unplanned, but they were going to propose something, Mr. Speaker. I e-mailed the Premier last night for an update. I am going to ask the finance Minister, could...