Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m coming at the perspective from the human angle and I’ve often said that any time we look at something we should always look to the communities first to see where we can bolster two or three. Ten or 20 new jobs in Yellowknife has not quite the same effect as it would in a regional community that needs those employment numbers, needs those investment dollars and needs that type of activity.

But what my question is really narrowed down to is what type of evaluation and incentives were offered to these employees to look at this transfer? I know this will be impacting...

Is that a commitment to investigate this problem about seeing what’s possible, working with his partners at the Department of Justice?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to recognize one of the William MacDonald students who I believe is a constituent in Yellowknife Centre. Alexia D’Astous MacDonald. I hope I said that correctly. Thank you for coming today.

I’d like to use the occasion to recognize a long-time friend, Terrance Courtorielle, up in the front there. We’ve known each other since we were kids. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

No thanks, Mr. Chairman. I was more curious as to the human impact of this particular one. Minister Abernethy is more than happy to provide me with that type of response. That’s all. Thanks.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Well, I won’t be defending Bob. Bromley that is, and for the record, I don’t care how he feels, either. So the Premier doesn’t have to think he’s alone in that category.

But, Mr. Chairman, it should not go without saying, first I will make it clear I’ve gone on the record many occasions in support of decentralization of positions, but any type of position like this – and I’ve asked this in the past – I’d like to hear how we put it in the record of this office was evaluated and what type of outreach was extended to the employees. I’ve always spoken to an employee...

I look forward to all four questions today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will try to make them very short with maybe a quick explanation and some quick bullets after that. While travelling into the Deh Cho, I’ve heard Aboriginal people say they’d like set aside lands protected and trespassing raised as an issue. Recently I was in the Sahtu and Aboriginal people told me there that they want trespass protection on their lands. I’ve been in Yellowknife and other areas, and whether it’s private business or even public lands, trespassing has turned out to be an issue. My Member’s statement said enough...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As our government prepares to take over land management, it’s time to examine our policies, and perhaps it’s time to look at trespass legislation. I’m not talking about the hunters or snowmobilers who enjoy their time as they sneak across the hinterland, or those people who are out picking berries or walking their dogs. I’m talking about those people who interfere with public and private property within our northern communities.

This is a very real issue. I’ve travelled the North and I’ve heard complaints both in Inuvik, Norman Wells and, yes, even here in Yellowknife...

If I understand the process correctly, the feds, in allowing these leases, at present it’s outside of our control and they are following the process until they wish to. They are steamrolling until theoretically April 1st when we take this over.

I am wondering if the MACA Minister sees this as a potential problem for enforcement. I’ve even heard rumours that people are building two-storey cabins or whatever the case may be. Who knows what they are building out there? So I guess there’s going to be an enforcement type of issue that is going to fall on the shoulders of the NWT government, as well...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank Mr. Bromley for raising this issue. I certainly wanted to give a first shot at it. I think he did it very well. This problem out there on the Ingraham Trail is not just a problem here in Yellowknife, it is certainly a problem in other regions. The bigger issue here is that it is affecting this region quite hard. One of the issues raised here today was about the relationship with the YK Dene and certainly that this new issue has fallen on their lap.

I want to know what the MACA Minister is doing to help maybe build a relationship with the YK Dene on this...

When I hear the Premier how he feels about this issue, I mean, to be quite frank, I don’t care how he personally feels. But it sounds as if the decision has already been made on that biasness, and there are five provinces who already regulate as very good and simple models.

What type of public input has the Premier gone to beyond his personal feelings, or the government’s feelings, of price regulation? What type of public input on what the people would like on this issue? That’s ultimately the question here is: Is price regulation needed in the Northwest Territories, and is it wanted by...