Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, or I should say Mr. Speaker Whitford on the side, the way to massage, give the Member another chance.

Mr. Speaker, the issue here is that I want to make sure that -- is there any -- are there any barriers, policy barriers, Mr. Speaker, stopping the department from engaging the RCMP to join any potential investigation that she foresees? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, in the Child and Family Services Act, it relatively seems silent on the area of when it's duty to report to the RCMP. There's been serious concerns brought up with respect to human rights, abuse, and neglect of youth. What threshold does it take to engage the RCMP on these particular matters of urgency? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This July an email was sent to the Department of Health and Social Services. Seven GNWT employees were included on that email. One of them in particular, Mr. Speaker, was the CEO of NT Health and Social Services so I know the department has it at the toppest -- sorry, at the top of the highest officials we have.

Mr. Speaker, I won't name the particular facility, but it was highlighting something very serious. The subject matter in part reads: Urgent, child and youth safety concerns at... I won't fill in the rest. And the email then begins, Mr. Speaker -- and I take a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for the Sahtu, that Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, be read for the third time. And, Mr. Speaker, I request a recorded vote. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, when you're a funding agent and you're doing an investigation under the public guise of the public service in the process of -- you know, that falls into the child and family services area, don't you think there's some level of responsibility for clearing the air at the end of an investigation? Would the Minister comment on that? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there's one further area I wish to raise with respect to my earlier statement and my questions, and it's built around transparency. And first, I want to highlight and acknowledge the effort to put something in writing by a concerned citizen. It is a difficult undertaking putting your name on something, forwarding information that you believe to be honest and true, and I want to acknowledge that. But at the same token, as well this matter's being discussed in the fray of public behind the scenes and those people who will be questioned is this true or untrue...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister said if they find something. So in other words, what skills does this investigator bring to the table that they can properly assess if a crime has been done? So in other words, I'm asking, Mr. Speaker, what qualifications does this investigator carry to ensure that they are able to absolutely with great certainty make a decision one way or the other? Thank you.

The Minister brought it up, so I'm going to ask, have the RCMP been engaged early to ensure that there's been a fulsome study of this particular issue so there's been -- there will be no delay, if any? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions will be to the Minister of health. I highlighted an email the CEO of NTHSSA has received, amongst many other GNWT employees, regarding concern brought forward of what someone perceives as human rights issues, abuse, and neglect on youth at a particular facility.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to hear about by what way of process is going on at this current time to investigate or get to the bottom of these particular issues to ensure that there's a fulsome investigation and assessment of these concerns highlighted? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Although I don't see her in the House, I believe I have constituent Ariella Fox from Yellowknife Centre, and I'd like to acknowledge her officially on the record. As well as I'd like to take a brief moment, as you did, Mr. Speaker, acknowledge the Handley family. Mrs. Theresa playing hearts with her at Avens and, of course, I served with Premier Joe Handley for some good years at the House, and we did some wonderful things. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.