Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to use my final Member’s statement to thank a lot of people over the last four years.

Firstly, as I entered this building I thanked the citizens of Yellowknife Centre, and I’d like to begin the same way by finishing this term by thanking the constituents of Yellowknife Centre, the many friends and the seniors who constantly provide advice and support through the years. As we all know, we deal with challenging issues and sometimes very emotional and stressful issues, and many of my constituents have provided much needed advice and support through those and have...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister talked about the money, you know, and I hate to think that the Health Minister, although oddly enough it’s the same as the Finance Minister, but are they going to invest some financial analysis into this study, report, and into the planning? In most cases it’s more affordable for the Government of the Northwest Territories to have a midwife providing the services than either flying the mother in from a community or flying a doctor into a community. Even in Yellowknife it’s more affordable having a midwife providing these services than an average doctor.

Jus...

It’s my understanding that the midwife in Fort Smith has been able to deliver at least half of the babies each and every year. It’s turned into quite a heralded success and, as we all know, I’m certainly glad I’m bending the ear of the Finance Minister at the same time. It’s a better choice on financial resources to use a midwife than it is to use a typical doctor. Perhaps, maybe the Minister can outline the objectives of how we are trying to translate the success in Fort Smith into Yellowknife and the territory as a whole. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to take a moment to recognize a couple of people. I’d like to recognize Chief Tsetta. I believe he’s up there in the gallery; I saw him a moment ago. He’s the chief for Dettah, as we all know. I’d also like to make special note of Lee Mandeville. He’s with the Dene Nation. And a long-time friend of mine, Sonny Lenoir. We were kids together growing up in Fort Simpson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s with regret that I’ll say that at this time I’m unable to support this motion. I’m concerned about the delay and the suggestion of the delay. You don’t have to be a Conservative to recognize that the Conservative Government is trying to help this territory with devolution. Any further delay or intentions or signals from this House that we want a delay or any stoppage of the devolution agreements on file could set us back years.

Undoubtedly, I would say I’ve always supported the aspirations of the Aboriginal peoples and self-government. I continue to say that today...

Perhaps, maybe if the Minister of Health could paint the pictures of the focus of the future of midwifery here in the Northwest Territories. Is it the goal of the Department of Health to help facilitate the growth? Is it just to place it in a few...provide this opportunity in a few communities here and there? What is the mandate and focus of this RFP and, certainly, will the general public be able to participate in the development of this so they can hear true testimony about how important this is as a service here in the North? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement today I wanted to highlight in some manner about how important midwifery services are here in the Northwest Territories. I also wanted to give credit to Leslie Paulette for making it the success it is. It comes with quite a national reputation of being a brilliant success all started by a small program in Fort Smith.

Mr. Speaker, the program in Yellowknife has been cut and it was a very important program to many families. My first question to the Minister of Health and Social Services is: when will the midwifery services be offered again in...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Some months ago the Minister of Health and Social Services announced the suspension of midwifery services in Yellowknife. This was not welcome news for many women and families who had benefited from the services and those who would like to plan for the future. A recent petition supporting the program had 304 signatures. To me that speaks out loud and clear about how important the services are.

When midwifery services were first offered in Yellowknife, it was part of a plan to expand the Midwifery Program that began in Fort Smith, to reach out to other centres across our...

I want to thank the Minister for that particular lead in to my next question because he’s right in the context of how do we balance that fairly. We’re well aware of students being hired by the same departments year after year, not giving a break to new students. Some never even get opportunities at territorial government jobs and we’re all well aware of students being hired in February and March, even before the summer student application process begins. So in other words, they’re all scooped up, the old returnees continue to return to the same jobs and I’m concerned about fairness.

Will the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, with great sadness, I wish to pause and make special note to the First Air flight that met with tragic ends on its approach into Resolute Bay this past Saturday.

As we all know, 12 of the 15 people on board didn’t make it and, without any doubt, the impact of this tragedy will have significant and lasting effects on all Northerners.

I know that this experience has affected two families directly in the riding of Yellowknife Centre, both the Golding and Merritt families. My heart goes out to them as well as all the other families that lost loved ones on that flight...