Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As many people in this Assembly know, water management is a municipal issue but water quality, I believe, falls under a public health point of view. My questions will be directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services from a public health point of view.

With recent awareness regarding the concerns of fluoridation treatment in water, there have been a lot of pros and cons on this particular issue. I’d like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services what public health is doing to review the quantity of fluoridation in the water that is being provided to our...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The area I’d like to seek some further information on early childhood development in a different vein as raised by a previous colleague. Mr. Chairman, I’d like to find out how many institutions are funded under this year’s program of $7.3 million and does the Minister have a list that he could provide me with a breakout of that funding formula. As well, on a last note, by community and by how many students that attend those particular facilites or, I should put in brackets, we anticipate to attend. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to speak to a number of concerns related to the perspective of the Liquor Board where the Liquor Act and the regulations are silent.

The NWT’s Liquor Board is made up of nine members appointed by the Minister. Members are selected on a regional basis to ensure that there is fair representation. Looking at this closely, I notice that there is a clear gap in board representation in the context of fair representation. Quite simply, there is no representative from the hospitality industry formally included. The only way someone from the hospitality industry can be...

I did hear the Minister say he supports the campus but my question was about an independent campus. As the Minister knows, as well as countless people know, I feel very strongly and deeply that Yellowknife is in a position and certainly ready for an independent campus and should be working towards that goal. Therefore, I ask the Minister if he supports an independent campus Aurora College in Yellowknife.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to return to a topic I have raised in this House before which continues to be of great concern to me. It’s a matter of government red tape and how frustrating and problematic it is for small business. It’s nothing but a roadblock and a burden on our industry.

Red tape restricts small business activities, creates more paperwork and leads to frustration. Of course, we all recognize the need for regulatory regulations and reporting, but there must be clear and reasonable requirements. I also empathize with small business owners and employees who must deal...

Just changing subjects but in a somewhat related manner, the Minister has mentioned that, I guess it sounds as if it is the department or Stanton that purchases items on behalf of other authorities, does the Minister’s office support any type of mark-up if it is Stanton, by way of example purchasing medical equipment and then selling it to an authority, do they support any type of mark-up on any particular product that is resold? Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, I did follow that particular issue up. In essence, take my word for it, really, was a short answer to the long letter or long reply. I am asking if the Minister is very confident that they view this and they are able to stand by it, then it should be no trouble providing some factual detail. That was the follow-up information that I asked for some time ago, perhaps maybe a month ago or more. I have yet to receive it. It is difficult getting back to people when they ask these questions and then you disappear for such a lengthy time or what the Minister says is basically they...

Mr. Chairman, that is fine. If it is just evergreening, are we talking about office equipment? It says medical supply. That is fine. I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t...

Seeing how I have the mike, can the Minister provide me some, maybe, examples of what they would define as medical equipment under this evergreening process? Are we talking about beds? Are we talking about those specific programmings? Thank you.

I’ll take the commitment on providing the breakout of how that statement is met through funding and how that’s budgeted under what titles. Thank you.

Thank you. Pointing to page 8-28, the last bullet. Programs to enable individuals with special living requirements, yada yada yada.