Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This motion is bigger than it states on words on the paper. Mr. Speaker, we talk about those who are dependent and we want to denormalize the issue, but we have to also recognize those people who are living with these people who are abusing alcohol. I'd like to take this time to talk about a couple small stories. They're really small, but just to give you sort of a personal sense of where it's sort of gone and come from in my perspective.

I remember growing up in Fort Simpson and knowing somebody who flew in from one of the communities so he could get his hands on a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, Mr. Speaker, I’m sure the Minister is quite accurate on all that information, but I’ll tell you, the public opinion of what seems to be right and wrong sometimes dances a different line and to a different tune than maybe what legally may be correct. I’ll tell you, people out there would think that folks providing false information on a competitive tender is wrong. I do. So, Mr. Speaker, what is the Minister doing to address this ethical question that seems to be overlooked? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll accept that. The visitors centre information at the 60th parallel, I brought to the attention of the Minister that there's been some graffiti and stuff, and this line item has reminded me that that's there. Have they cleaned up that site at the visitors sign that had graffiti on it? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Northstar is a local organization that, as of recently, used to offer assistance to our employees through the Employee Family Assistance Program. They lost the contract and, Mr. Speaker, sometimes it’s a reality that comes to the competitive bid process. However, they lost it to a southern firm, a national firm that, in my opinion, misrepresented themselves with key information that I believe underpins their bid. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Human Resources who is truly aware of this issue and the circumstances under what’s going on....

Mr. Chairman, could I get some details as far as with this RV campground planning and development. Is this the Folk on the Rocks site money and, if so, is that proceeding? Maybe I can get some details first on what is that $140,000. Thanks.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is the Minister willing to direct the department and the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority to do everything within its power to make sure that all contract negotiations are concluded before the summer months? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That just seems too good to be true. Is he saying that even with the increase in the power bill, the offsetting difference between what is estimated for the fuel price and that, that we would be able to pay for this project within three to five years? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I outlined in my Member’s statement today, I have concerns with the status of the negotiations that are going on at Aven Manor here in Yellowknife. I also mentioned the concern of the level of support the department is providing the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority in conducting those negotiations. Can the Minister inform the Assembly on the status of the negotiations with the union representing the workers at Aven Manor here? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the detailed information from the Minister. I thought he was running the clock on me. Mr. Chair, I thought, if I understand it correctly, the Akaitcho are going to run a water summit coming up here. I am not sure why the Minister would want to be running one as well. I don’t know if he is competing or enhancing it some other way, but I am just curious on this technical advisor detail and then you went on further to talk about the impacts of oil sands. I am surprised you are not going off to an area in discussion that talks about reaching CPAWS and things...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish I could be talking about the abuse of alcohol today…(inaudible)…with my colleagues, but with a short session I have another topic I have to raise today that’s very important. March 31st is always a significant date in the NWT and it’s the end of the government’s fiscal year. As well, it coincides with the end of many contracts that go along with our NGOs. Today I’d like to talk about one of those contracts, or lack of contracts, Mr. Speaker.

Workers at Aven Manor in Yellowknife saw their contract expire six weeks ago, on March 31st. These...