Calvin Pokiak

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think what happened yesterday is really important in regard to what happens in the Assembly here. I, too, did hear and see the Minister point to Members on this side, especially to a particular Member here, and I find that very disappointing and appalling. You know, we’re all sitting here as Members to represent the people of our constituency and the NWT. I think it’s only fair that whether you’re sitting on this side of the House or sitting on the other side, that we have respect for all our Members and families. To hear a Member on the other side doing...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, No. 2, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just my last follow-up, Mr. Speaker. I'm just wondering, after Tuesday and the review of the applicants, I'm just wondering how soon after that the applicants are reviewed. If there's qualified potential social workers and mental health workers, will the department hire these people? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So if I understand correctly, the position would close this Friday and they'll screen the applications on Tuesday. I'm just wondering, Mr. Speaker, with that, if there's unqualified potential applicants for these two positions, what will happen with the two positions presently? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for the past two and a half years, I have been talking about the RCMP presence in Sachs Harbour, but today I would like to go through a little different process.

Last night, on CBC North, there was an interview with Corporal Violet Pokiak of “G” Division of Yellowknife here regarding the recruitment of people for RCMP programming in Halifax. I understand Corporal Pokiak will be travelling to all the communities in the Northwest Territories over the next four years, trying to recruit people in the Northwest Territories. I think, on behalf of the RCMP, that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, am in support of the motion. Based on what happened in the session yesterday, I think it’s really important that we be accountable to what we do in the House here, especially when you are…(inaudible)…on personal families and friends. It shouldn’t be tolerated in an Assembly like this. I think we all agree that things like this shouldn’t happen in our House. I was very disappointed, like I said, yesterday in terms of what happened in this House. So I will support the motion, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The question I had is I understand right now from the Minister that they will screen the applications by Tuesday and they have a number of applicants right now. If there are unqualified applicants presently right now that they're screening, what will the department do to fill those positions right away? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I made a statement in regard to front-line workers in Ulukhaktok, particularly in regard to the social worker and the mental health worker. I'm just wondering, the Minister said he was going to provide information today with regard to the status of the recruitment. So can the Minister advise us what the stage is right now? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to ask the Minister, like I said earlier, it has been going on for the past six, seven, or eight months now. Why is it taking so long for the department to recruit these people? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It will be good to hear what we get when we come back tomorrow in tomorrow’s session. Again, I would like to find out. I don’t understand it, but they are presently looking at recruiting these positions. I understand that Human Resources is looking at some of the names that were put forward. Can the Minister indicate on whether these positions will be filled not tomorrow, but within the next week or so? Thank you.