Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in view of the fact that this part of the judicial system in the North especially affects the residents of the South Slave, what consultation has the Minister done, or does he intend to do, in helping him make a decision as to where the resident judge should be placed? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Justice, the Honourable Charles Dent. As I stated in my Member's statement, the Honourable Chief Judge Robert Halifax retired in the fall after some 26 years of distinguished service to the North. In view of the fact that this has created a vacancy in Hay River, and indeed in the judicial system in the North, could the Minister explain to this House what his role is in filling this vacancy created by the retirement of the resident judge in the South Slave? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as most Members are aware, the Honourable Chief Judge Robert Halifax has retired after some 26 years of distinguished service to the residents of the North. A common theme that was echoed by many at Chief Judge Halifax’s retirement party, Mr. Speaker, was the relationship with the people of all nine of the communities south of the lake that Robert Halifax was able to establish as a resident judge based in Hay River.

Mr. Speaker, in 1976, the Government of the Northwest Territories made an important decision to place a resident judge in Hay River upon the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Premier just said that when the paper comes to Cabinet they will look at all the information and make a decision at that time. What avenue do we have or do people have to get the information to Cabinet that we want Cabinet to look at, not just the information that comes from the judiciary? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would hope that the Minister would make sure that he has all the accurate information in front of him on all aspects of this issue before he makes a decision. It is my understanding in reading the act that the Minister can make a recommendation to Executive Council when he does present a short list to council. Would the Minister commit that he recommends that this resident judge be placed in Hay River or in the South Slave? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize a couple of constituents of mine in the gallery today. A very well-known northerner and a gentleman who has been associated with seniors for a long time is now the president of the Hay River Seniors’ Society, Mr. Lloyd Brunes.

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Also, another constituent of mine and one that is no stranger around the Legislative Assembly and was my campaign manager in the election, Dawna O’Brien.

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I would also like to recognize the mayor of Hay River in the audience today, Ms. Diana Ehman.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to start out by saying how extremely pleased I am to be back here in this wonderful Chamber with yourself and all of my colleagues. I want to congratulate you on your successful campaign for Speaker. I know that you will do a good job over the next four years. I also want to congratulate Mr. Handley and the rest of the Cabinet Ministers on their successful election and I look forward to the swearing-in ceremony later on this afternoon.

It has been said many times, Mr. Speaker, that when you look at the big picture, very few of us are fortunate...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I’ve said, I was visiting a very dear friend of mine and a very well-known northerner, Mr. Red McBryan, who is recovering from a slight heart attack in the hospital here in Yellowknife. I want to wish him a speedy recovery and I look forward to seeing him back in Hay River.

I also want to pass my condolences on to another very dear friend of mine, Ms. Marianne Carriere, who passed away on November 29th in Hay River. I want to pass my sincere condolences to her husband John, and their entire family. I look forward to being back in Hay River on Saturday to...