Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to use the occasion, as well, to recognize both Val Watsyk and Shari Olsen. They are two friends of mine who have grown up in the South Slave for many years. As well, I would like to take the opportunity to recognize Pat Waugh, who I have known for a long time. As well, welcome to all the court workers. Thank you for your work.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to use my time here today to focus in on the pluses and minuses of this motion. First, on the plus side of the ledger, I want to thank Mr. Bromley for bringing forward this motion. This is the second time it’s been around. The first time, I’ll have to tell you, the tone brought forward to the Members was less than receptive I have to admit. But that said, I wish to acknowledge Mr. Bromley’s relentless pursuit of environmental initiatives. There are times that we think that that’s the only focus he’s got, but I have to admit he is a good colleague to work with and...

Mr. Chair, I don’t really have any more questions on this page, but I did want to make it clear that it is not that I am against solar energy. It is just that I think it is the least practical of them considering the infrastructure costs. That said, I do also agree with the Minister’s point, which is that technology is getting cheaper all the time, but my view is, and I still maintain let’s do the things we do very well and biomass is certainly a hallmark of quality work with good benefits at a great price. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Under infrastructure investment summary this would be a great opportunity to ask my question about the tire shredder. I think he missed it and I was quite devastated to hear how easily it was skipped over.

In essence, this issue has been raised repeatedly in this Assembly and certainly in committee, not only by myself but with Member Groenewegen on the same song sheet.

How does the Minister feel the NWT can meet that need by looking into that type of infrastructure investment? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to table two documents. They are both from the Northern Journal. Ironically, both of them are from the same page and the same date, but I will table them separately. The date is Tuesday, January 29, 2013. The first article is a clipping on Pressures Affecting Slave River. The second one is the NWT River Metals Far Below Guidelines Study Finds. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Would the Minister responsible for Seniors agree that if we had a seniors’ charter, it be useful, in his view, to ensure that we’re meeting the needs of seniors, and if he does believe that being the case, what would he be prepared to do to work on a seniors’ charter for the NWT? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can I include my preamble as before? It’s so exciting.

What is the Minister responsible for Seniors using as his guiding mandate that builds and bridges the relationship between his responsibilities as Minister responsible for Seniors and certainly the relationship and their needs by seniors in the NWT? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m going to use today’s opportunity to talk about the Financial Administration Manual. I’m going to frame it around the administration and the conduct built around that.

The public is concerned, certainly as I am, about the accountability of this manual and the transparency that’s brought with it. So I’m not going to speak to any specific example whether we’ve had problems in the past or even in the recent situation.

I’d like to focus my concerns around the administration and our guiding book, our bible, as such when it comes to finances and economics of the NWT. What...

Thanks, Mr. Chairman. I think I’ll use the occasion to clear up the record officially. That was my picture I gave to Mr. Yakeleya. And he can’t speak after me because he’s already spoken.

Mr. Chairman, I’ll be voting in favour of this motion. I support this initiative and I look forward to further discussions about seeing how we can make sure an idea such as this, that seems to be common sense, we can get off the ground and get proven results, which I’m not sure further studies need to be done. Thank you.

I am actually appreciative that the Minister mentioned drums. I think at one time I suggested putting a finder’s fee on that. I’m sure I’m not the only one that has mentioned that over the years about a finder’s fee on those drums, whether they are worth $50 or $100. When people travel out on the land, they can throw them in whatever. They can take a boat, whether it is a truck or a plane, they can throw a few in and certainly they can supplement some of the gas they need to get out there.

That said, the Minister had mentioned next on the list, as always, when do we think that this will be a...