Robert Hawkins

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I MOVE, seconded by the Member for Mackenzie Delta to amend Motion 2320(1), Call to Uphold Human Rights in Gaza, by inserting the words, and I quote, "in an accountable method that demonstrates transparency which ensures Canadian aid, given by the Canadian Government, goes directly to support the humanitarian need" to the third bullet point in the second clause, after the word "Gaza", as the bullet reads now: Advocates for and provide funds for unhindered access for humanitarian aid for all those in need in Gaza, in an accountable method that demonstrates transparency...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too wish to recognize both Rami and Fadil of Javaroma. They are great community partners. Their heart and soul is into the city of Yellowknife as well as its people, and I've seen them on so many occasions be so generous both with their time and money. They're wonderful people, and we're a richer community because we have the two of them. Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister be willing to investigate and report back on how many people have to come to Yellowknife from our regions and smaller communities for these types of support services specific to diabetes? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I won't be singing my questions by the way.

So, Mr. Speaker, diabetes in the Northwest Territories are certainly, you know, well above the national average. As a matter of fact, groups like the Metis have some of the highest diabetes affected in the context of ethnicity. NWT Indigenous women are certainly well above the Canadian average. And, Mr. Speaker, our regional centres suffer enormously with the high levels of diabetes and the lack of care.

My question for the Minister of Health and Social Services is how is she planning to change this narrative by...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to acknowledge at the beginning this is a very difficult motion for some people out there. I feel very strongly in support of the current motion as now amended, and I too wish to lend my supports and the voice my voice to hopefully carry to a new phase.

Mr. Speaker, I deeply believe that one day, I wish it would be sooner than later, that we had a fully safe Palestine recognized by the world all around so the people can deserve and who have well long waited and earned their right to live happy, safe, and free.

Mr. Speaker, the conflict itself, I'm no expert in...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I MOVE, second by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, to amend Motion 2320(1), Call to Uphold Human Rights in Gaza, by inserting the following clause after the second whereas clause:

AND WHEREAS this Assembly recognizes through the Government of Canada's designation that Canada has listed Hamas as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code since November 2022.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the Member for Mackenzie Delta to amend Motion 2320

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 12)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, that's certainly good news. I'd like to hear what the department officials are doing or where are they anticipating the potential base, if that's part of the conversation, could be located in the North. As I said, I'd be happy for it to be in Yellowknife but that said I recognize opportunities it may make better sense in Inuvik. So I'd like to hear what the Minister has to say. Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 12)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In this process of technology, my laptop died just before so I'm going to go with the roughest of notes with the most genuine of hearts. It's true; I always speak from my heart.

So, Mr. Speaker, regardless of the issue, I wish to speak to one theme I hope is true is the fact that when I do speak for an issue, I do care about it and -- in the sense of that the impact this has on Northerners is -- and the choices we make. Now, keep in mind the last Assembly barely passed its own mechanism to manage its own carbon tax processes and, frankly, I don't think they did enough...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 12)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm going to first bring my Member's statement today about one of my -- and begin by acknowledging one of my favorite sections in the GNWT. That's the NWT bureau of stats, my goodness. I don't know how I'd get along without them, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, one of the recent updates talked about the capital investments in the Northwest Territories and its decline by 11.2 percent. Now, that adds up to almost 900 -- $900 million to the North. But the bad news doesn't start -- stop there, unfortunately, Mr. Speaker. The NWT labour force activity has showed...