Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. One final question, because I don’t have an oral question for tomorrow. Would the Minister be able to provide it by 9:00 in the morning? Is that too early? That was the question.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate that, Mr. Minister. Could the Minister also agree to give me the number of how many appeals go to the appeals committee? I know there wouldn’t be thousands. I assume there would be a few every year. Maybe he could give me the number every year for the last five years, please. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I won’t be long; however, I have to stress I was very pleased, at the very end of question period, with Mr. Krutko’s willingness to work toward developing possible policies. His willingness is much appreciated on this side of the House, at least from my perspective.

Mr. Speaker, I spoke very clearly about the concerns we have in parts of my riding, and I’m sure they apply to many other ridings, that our seniors are really struggling to live in an environment that shows them dignity. We have people in our communities who have disabilities, who have trouble simply reaching...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d really like to know if this government believes that policies need to evolve with the time. Mr. Speaker, will this Minister agree that dignified independent living should be a priority of this government? Do we believe that’s an important issue? Do we believe the quality of life is linked to good living for our seniors and people who have disabilities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it’s my belief that some of our government policies date back to the invention of the wheel. Mr. Speaker, this government, in my opinion, does not have a coordinated housing policy for seniors and persons with disabilities. Will the Minister answer the question, do we have any type of coordinated plan and policy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to talk about the lack of a coordinated policy for housing for seniors and people with disabilities. Mr. Speaker, I don’t think it’s the responsibility of this government; I think it’s the honest duty of this government to make sure that we address the housing needs for our seniors and disabled constituents. Mr. Speaker, I still speak firmly that we do not have a coordinated access program for barrier-free access housing, Mr. Speaker. It should be a principle of this government to make sure our seniors and our disabled constituents are treated fairly and properly...

Nothing further at this time, Mr. Chairman. I will take his commitment and accept them sometime tomorrow. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I acknowledge your last thought there. Mr. Speaker, this is a problem with the FAA. It’s not a problem with MACA. MACA is doing their job. The problem is the FAA restricts the ability for these multi-year rolling agreements with provisos. Would the Minister agree to at least hear the City of Yellowknife’s concern on this matter and if he feels it’s appropriate -- I underline that -- then we will take it to another stage once he’s consulted with the city. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister is very correct when he mentions the item as he says, but it’s conditional. It’s hinged on the proviso of one year. Mr. Speaker, I have an agreement here between the Government of the Northwest Territories and the City of Yellowknife and the agreement becomes effective April 1, 2004. It’s signed April 14th of 2004 by both parties, MACA and the City of Yellowknife, and it spans the calendar year of April 1st to March 31st. So what the Minister said was right, but the problem is these municipalities are passing their budgets with nine months in the dark...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak about multi-year funding for municipalities in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, we know here within our work and our jobs it’s very difficult for the GNWT to plan very far in the future, because of the uncertainties in the year-to-year tax revenues and funding from Canada. Mr. Speaker, we are also taking that problem and we are turning it around and we are putting that pressure on municipal governments. Mr. Speaker, I believe it’s time to look at multi-year funding for municipalities to ensure that they have certainty when...