Déclarations dans les débats

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 5th Session (day 66)

Mr. Speaker, I want to know the nature of this discussion. Is he going to call them? Is he going to talk to them and say, “Hey, how ya doing?” I want to know if he’s going to take the public’s interest first, or is he going to protect the institution?

I have great respect for the RCMP. It’s not about that. Every one of those folks in red serge knows that I proudly believe in the work that they do. I also believe equally in the public’s safety.

So, I want to hear that the Minister is going to bring them this issue and provide them some instruction that we need to ensure the public’s safety...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 5th Session (day 66)

Well, it took five questions to get to the point of saying he will have a discussion if the Member asks for a discussion.

So, the question for the Minister this time is: What is the Minister going to do to talk to the RCMP about updating their policy about informing the public about a predator on the loose? Thank you.

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 5th Session (day 66)

Mr. Speaker, what’s the point of having a Minister if the Minister just says we’ll leave it up to the RCMP? Maybe the Minister can describe his accountability line with the RCMP when we work to ensure that our public safety is put first.

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 5th Session (day 66)

I certainly recognize the answer, which was, really, let’s find someone else to take responsibility and let’s pass the buck.

My question for the Minister is: What is he going to do to ensure that this policy is updated so the public’s interest, the public’s safety is protected over these types of predators who are let loose and prey upon the women, the children and even some men in our community?

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 5th Session (day 66)

If MACA becomes a new steward of the NGO Stabilization Fund, would there be an access point for people to be able to apply for capital projects like this where they offer programing? Again, focusing on our citizens of the disabled or senior community that have, you know, I don’t want to say no means of getting around, but I just want to use a broad statement if people will allow me to say they have little to no means of getting around the community.

So, would he see the NGO Stabilization Fund as a program available for people to apply for these types of opportunities? Thank you.

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 5th Session (day 66)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As you’ve already heard, it’s Pink Shirt Day. We should be all yelling this and bellowing it in the highest of our trumpet voices and saying we need to help join in the fight to help eliminate bullying, all types of bullying, any type of bullying. It’s often a struggle carried alone, as we all know, but it should never be that way. Today many of us wear pink shirts or pink apparel to show our support for this cause.

Today is February 25th, just another day on the calendar for many. But there are others out there. Today is just another day in a long nightmare where they...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 5th Session (day 66)

The famous gas tax answer. I wondered how long we would get there. If you are part of what we call the NWT Disabilities Council, you don’t qualify for the gas tax money. How does the Minister suggest, or what program is available to these types of folks who want to help enable our citizens to contribute to be involved in our territory’s activities? Thank you.

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 5th Session (day 66)

I appreciate the very warm reception to that thought. That said, I just want to underscore that I certainly am in favour of fluoridation. I think it is a good thing. I think it does wonders for the dental community, and dental health is very important not just for children but lifelong adults in our scope.

Mr. Chairman, just on that note, I wanted to change gears. One more second before I change gears. Can I get the Minister to confirm that he will inform me once it has been updated so I assume that it will be either checked or updated in a timely way, and could I get the Minister to also...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 5th Session (day 65)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the Minister for that because this lack of safety trend is quite alarming and it’s not just about one facility, it’s about all our territorial staff. I’m going to quote Minister Abernethy’s comment the other day, “Our staff are the most valuable resources. They are the backbone of our system and we need to ensure that.” I want to make sure that the Minister is very clear on exactly what he’s going to do and when we’re going to do it, because I don’t want to wait for yet another incident to happen for anyone to be standing by and saying I told you so. We...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 5th Session (day 65)

With this recent trend of incidents at Stanton or even downtown in some of our offices or anywhere else, for that matter, there’s been a bit of a trend. Has this not stimulated the need for this type of discussion to ensure that our employees are safe, and as such, what about the government taking initiative on doing an assessment to ensure our staff are not only safe but have the proper resources at their beck and call as and when necessary?