Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In light of the great news of the rescinding of the 2007 policy, I am hesitant to ask questions, because I’m afraid that the government will take back the good news and change it or mess it up in one form or another.

In listening to the questions that my colleagues have been posing to the Minister of Health and quite namely one of the questions highlighted by MLA Bisaro, which is, okay, what’s guiding the future of the Supplementary Health Benefits program? It causes me to wonder where are the working poor in this equation and what can they have to look forward to. Can...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today is a fantastic day for the people of the NWT. The people of the North have certain cause to celebrate. The people have won a decisive victory in their struggle for health care, for everyone who has worked tirelessly on this problem of second-class health care proposed back in the 2007 Cabinet directive.

Health care is no less important to anyone across this North. Health care is one of the defining factors that helps identify Canadians. It makes us the envy of the world and certainly the envy of our neighbours to the south.

Today the Health Minister has heard the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. While perusing the CBC website I came across a very interesting and informative story to make sure I could table it before the House: Yukon Passes Cell Phone Driving Ban. I certainly hope the Minister of Transportation makes extra note of this story and tabling.

The Minister is right; she did provide a response that, yes, they know that. Her response also said they’re looking at it, but the reality is that this response was lacking in the sense that it didn’t seem to have a plan to bring someone in or a long-term plan to solve the solution. The issue comes down to the fact that I’m being contacted again by more constituents saying that this continues to be a very important issue and they’re concerned is the government hearing them. Would the Minister commit to getting an answer and update before the end of this sitting so if there are problems, we can...

Mr. Speaker, clearly, paralysis by analysis, as said many times by my colleague Minister Miltenberger. The reality is, we can move on this issue. Cabinet agrees the working poor need coverage. I haven’t heard any opposition on this side of the House that the working poor needs coverage and I can guarantee you today that if you went outside of this building, this ivory tower, and asked the everyday person in the public if the working poor deserve coverage, they need coverage.

Mr. Speaker, the reality is quite simple. What’s stopping Cabinet from moving on an initiative that they like, we like...

I appreciate the answer, because that was very clear -- status quo, which means if you’re in the working-poor bracket, that means nothing. At least it’s clear and no one’s fooled by that. So the reality is, what’s holding back from immediate coverage to the working poor if that will be the long-term principles and guidelines? What’s stopping this government from making that immediate decision? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize Blake Lyons, a constituent in Yellowknife Centre, as well as Murray McMahon, another constituent from Yellowknife Centre. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A flexible transition period really makes sense and I’ll tell you why. It’s my experience very few people would rather choose the option of not working, staying at home and waiting for something better to come along than when the possibility of a job will inspire them to get out there and help put their life together and keep it in order.

Mr. Speaker, working creates independence, but our housing policy does not. Mr. Speaker, we want people on their feet and running; not running from the Housing Corporation, we want them running in support of their families and on their...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With capital money we’re investing in this capital budget, I think the money could go a lot further on a short-term investment immediately helping some of those 928 families in need. May I remind the Minister that we have approximately 289 units in public housing and the fact is that even if we bring in through a retrofit process of 25 retrofits this capital budget, it’s just a shell game, because you’re working on fixing 25 but you have to take 25 off the market. So you really haven’t changed the adequacy and affordability issue.

Mr. Speaker, that said, would the...

For clarification, I was referring to the Housing Needs Survey.