Robert Hawkins

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to return to Item 5 on our agenda, which is recognition of visitors in the gallery.

I’d like to table a letter. It is to the honourable Minister responsible for Education, Jackson Lafferty, dated May 14, 2008. It’s a letter sent by the chair of the Yellowknife Catholic Schools, Mary Vane, regarding their opposition to the deletion of the Alberta Achievement Testing Program.

Document 65-16(2), Letter to Minister of Education Opposing the Deletion of the Alberta Achievement Tests, tabled.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The courage of Danny Williams, the Premier of Newfoundland, is legendary. That’s what I’m looking for. I’m looking for that courage. I’m looking for the lion to find his heart, to get out there and claw away at that federal government, saying, “We deserve our right and place in Canada.” I’m just talking about a constitution that demonstrates….

Moral authority doesn’t bring home the money, I’m sorry to say. The fact is that we need to go beyond moral authority to be in charge of our land, our water and our regulatory system. That’s what I’m talking about.

Would the Premier consider looking at a home rule act that prescribes that the territorial government is in charge of these lands with a relationship built with aboriginal governments? We could use that to build a case with the Prime Minister and the other provinces that we deserve the same rights as the provinces have in Canada. Would he do that?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to recognize a class from Sissons. It is the grade 5 middle French immersion class, and the students here today have come to watch our session. Their names are Taylor Clark, Caeley Cluderay, Ali Fleming, Jay Fleming, Sterling Ingraham, Anna Koldewey, Katie Lapka, Rylie McGuire, Liam McKay, Cassidy Menard, Nancy Ngo, Tisha Organ, Nathan Round, Kristy Taggard, and their teacher, who I believe has to go now — she’s waited very patiently — is Monique Marinier. I appreciate them staying and watching our Members’ statements.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When we first started this process, I got the impression that the Finance Minister, Premier Roland, whatever way you want to call it, sort of walked through the gates kind of like Clint Eastwood in Pale Rider. He sort of walked through with his spurs clicking away and saying, “This is how the budget is going to be, and this is how the budget is going to be.” I heard the whistle of Pale Rider go.

Mr. Speaker, the attitude of Mr. Roland has changed quite a bit. First, it was “This is it,” and then there was a little bit of “Maybe,” then “We’ll talk about it.” We’ve gotten...

I give notice that on Thursday, June 19, 2008, I will move the following motion.

I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that this Legislative Assembly strongly recommend that the government cease considering the elimination of the Business Incentive Policy, and further, that this Legislative Assembly strongly recommend that the government consider and undertake public discussion on options to revise the policy to better direct it to the benefit of businesses who file their taxes in the North.

Would the Premier take steps to work toward enacting a home-rule law? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We don’t need to recognize any differences, because this territory should have equal standing with every other province, and anyone who’s negotiating down from that would be selling us out. The fact is that the best solution would be an act to describe our position in Canada which is full partnership. When John A. Macdonald went out with his crew to negotiate with Britain about Canada having its own autonomy, it didn’t take 30 or 40 years like this devolution agreement. Even those folks who signed the Constitution and were branded as traitors in the United States were later regaled as heroes...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During my Member’s statement I talked about home rule as an initiative that could be launched by this territory to demonstrate that our rightful place deserves to be taken within Canada.

My questions go to the Premier of this House. Would the Premier move forward on an initiative that demonstrates that the territorial government is in charge of its own affairs by moving forward on home rule legislation?