David Ramsay

Mahsi, Mr. Villeneuve. Minister Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to the motion once again. Again, it’s a very unfortunate situation that I find myself in. I have been in politics for 10 years, close to 10 years. This is one of the toughest things I have had to do. But in those years as a politician, if you go with what you believe is right and what your heart tells you to do, you can’t go wrong and I know the difference between right and wrong. No matter if it was any one of the Cabinet Ministers that said something about, yesterday it happened to be my wife and my brother, if they said...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS pursuant to section 61(1) of the Legislative and Executive Council Act, the Legislative Assembly recommends to the Commissioner the appointment of Members of the Executive Council;

AND WHEREAS pursuant to section 61(2) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, the persons appointed hold office during the pleasure of the Legislative Assembly;

AND WHEREAS the Assembly, pursuant to these powers, has selected the Honourable J. Michael Miltenberger to sit as a Member of the Executive Council;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Honourable Member for...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, October 23, 2006, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nunakput, that this Assembly formally revoke the pleasure of the Assembly from the appointment of the Honourable J. Michael Miltenberger as Member of the Executive Council; and further, that this Assembly recommend that a new Member be chosen to be a Member of the Executive Council.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will seek unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Mahsi.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to know if Cabinet has a policy in dealing with employees in the various departments and corporations that the government represents or has control over. Is there a policy in place where an employee in whatever -- pick a department -- has direct access to the Minister? Is there a policy that says an employee in, let's say, Justice cannot contact the Minister directly? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have been a Member of this House for almost three years and I continue to enjoy the opportunity and privilege to stand in this Legislature and represent the constituents of the riding of Kam Lake, the city of Yellowknife and this territory. I take my job and this position very seriously.

Yesterday during question period, while my colleague Ms. Lee was questioning the Minister of Health and Social Services and this was in response to an off the record comment I had made that the Minister of Health and Social Services should perhaps ask his colleague Mr. Dent about what...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today on a point of privilege. Yesterday in the House I clearly heard and saw the Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger, threaten me and members of my family. I feel that my privileges have been breached because all Members have the right to sit in this Legislature and carry out their duties free from threats, intimidation, obstruction or interference. The Minister’s words and gestures, in my mind, constituted a threat to my wife and my brother’s livelihood. He pointed his finger squarely in my direction like this and said quite clearly,...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am moving this motion today as a result of what took place in this House yesterday and I believe I have the right as a Member to speak my mind and to stand up for the constituents I represent. I feel very strongly that yesterday I was threatened and intimidated in this House. I don’t believe that that should be condoned or tolerated in any way, shape or form. The Government of the Northwest Territories has a zero tolerance policy in place for workforce harassment or workforce intimidation and we should practice what we preach and we should lead by example in that, Mr...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think it would be beneficial to the Cabinet members if they did get out and had more on-the-ground contact with the employees that they represent and, in fact, they represent us as well. So I'd like to see you out there more, having that hand-to-hand contact and discussions with rank and file government employees so you can actually hear and discuss issues that are of a concern to them. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to ask, where in the development stage is any type of whistle-blower legislation from this government? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.