Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to reaffirm. I didn’t say that in the context that I’m against the pipeline or in the context that I’m against resource development, because I have significant environmental concerns as well as economic concerns. Until we get that control, we can’t control either of them. We’re in a difficult situation.

Mr. Speaker, the Premier had spoken about partnerships. I’d like to hear from him today about what is he doing with our local Dene Nation of the Northwest Territories or aboriginal groups to reach outside of the Territories and say, well, wait a minute, let’s...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I was referring to in my Member’s statement today, the people of the NWT contribute to Canada. This is an amazing country and we do our share, Mr. Speaker. But respect is a two-way street. So as I pointed out in my little press story that could have been anywhere between yesterday and two years ago, Premier Handley says that we are close. Where are we on this deal? Where are we? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, wish to continue the theme. Mr. Speaker, I ask myself, where are we? Well, I start out by asking that question by reading a quote by Mr. Handley: "We’re close." Now that quote could have been said yesterday. That quote could have been said last week, last month, maybe even two years ago, Mr. Speaker. Because I have heard that the Premier’s office says we’re close. But I can tell you today, if this Premier is able to deliver on a resource revenue agreement I’ll be the first one to put a motion on the floor that we do a Wayne Gretzky statue like in the Rexall with...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm a believer that the citizens of the Northwest Territories should be finally taking control of their own destiny, Mr. Speaker, and that doesn't necessarily mean the revenues from petroleum or minerals, Mr. Speaker, it's about setting a course, a northern course, that we will guide ourselves by our own principles in relationship with the aboriginal governments, Mr. Speaker. I've been a supporter of that, I always have and I always believe that the Northwest Territories government will play a leadership role in that. As a council is, we build a giant council for our...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will have to be voting against the amendment presented as a motion by the Member for Monfwi. I appreciate his concern and I tried to highlight it in the context of my statement earlier, which is I think he's in a very difficult position because people from the whole Tlicho Nation are expecting him to deliver results, although again I have to underscore that they don't all live within the boundaries or the prescribed boundaries of the Tlicho Nation. So I appreciate the extra workload he carries.

I actually thought the most interesting presentation put on the table...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that Bill 14 be amended by striking out items 12 to 19 of the appendix and substituting items 12 to 21 as set out in the schedule to this motion.

Madam Chair, I seek unanimous consent to have the schedule to this motion deemed read and printed in Hansard in its entirety. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That was a very welcoming answer from the Minister. I appreciate his collaboration and the necessity to talk to the Minister of ITI. Mr. Speaker, my next question to the Minister is, could he sort of outline some time frame that he could look at getting back to committee with this initiative? Could he look at doing this maybe before the next session that begins in February? Could he get back to us on that detail? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, wish to acknowledge our brave men and women in green here in the gallery today. It’s quite overwhelming to see them all. Thank you for coming.

Mr. Speaker, every day the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment contribute to individual artists and groups of artists through grants issued by the NWT Arts Council. In 2005-2006 there were 124 applications for grants totalling almost $1.2 million, of which the NWT Arts Council was able to fund 84 projects totalling $355,000. In the last update on the NWT...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that we report progress.

Firstly, Madam Chair, let me thank my colleagues for not naying that one. That would have meant I would have had to read 10 pages in of fine print.

Madam Chair, in plain language, this motion that I've put on the floor is suggesting to go back to the recommendation made by the commission, which is suggesting 21 seats in total. Again, Madam Chair, is says one additional seat to Yellowknife and one additional seat to the Monfwi region. That's what this motion means, like I say, in plain language. I'll be supporting this motion. Thank you.