Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Schools throughout the NWT and Canada are forced to deal with restrictions and financial restraints. Many of the activities and events that students take part in today are due to the tireless efforts of individual staff members and parents advisory committees and volunteers, as well as many business organizations that all provide a role in providing opportunities for students and young people.

Today I’d like to recognize a special case, a good news story. Madam Speaker, this past March there was a science fair held here in Yellowknife and some 80 students from Grade 3...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Mr. Minister, for providing that clarification. I think that was very helpful. Seeing how we've mentioned the polar bear a few times, is this Minister in a position where he can inform me and this House as to what the cost of litigation was that the GNWT took against Sirius a couple years ago? What's the total cost of that legislation in regards to protecting or establishing a position that the GNWT owns that polar bear inscribed on the diamonds? If the Minister could provide that cost, I would appreciate it at this time.

Thank you. I know the Minister did answer the question there, but maybe if he could narrow it down to would we get an actual dollar amount and, if so, when? If the Minister is able to provide that actual dollar amount, taking into consideration the polar bear fees, if he's able to give that today, I'd like to hear and, if not, I'd like to hear when we would be able to hear that number in a public context. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As I see this appropriation, one element has to do with the funding with regard to Sirius Diamonds Ltd. One concern I had, I guess looking at this situation, is first and foremost my first question to the Minister will be will there be a public disclosure, if there hasn't been already, on the bottom line sale of Sirius and the costs associated with the repossession of Sirius through its process? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I appreciate that answer and I appreciate what Minister Bell has started by establishing that working group. I would like to see that lead continue because it does affect a lot of people. Could I have the commitment from this Minister to assure me in this House today, so I can go back to some constituents of mine, that this working group will be meeting very shortly, in whatever capacity, so we can get some true results out there so people can see that the RCMP and our parks officers are jointly patrolling these areas? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have questions for Minister Miltenberger in his capacity of Minister of ENR, not on the TTC this time. Madam Speaker, my question is with regard to the Ingraham Trail. I have constituents along the trail, as well as every other Yellowknife MLA, who have legal cabins out there. In the past, they brought forward their concerns and the former Minister of RWED, Minister Bell, started actioning a program to help deal with some of those concerns, but he no longer carries that portfolio. The concerns brought forward were garbage, trail establishment, clear-cutting...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I don’t know if I have to say any more. It’s proof that we haven’t obviously thought this out. It’s proof that the consultant hasn’t spoken to the people who have been impacted. It’s proof that no one has spoken to the families or the staff that run these programs, and its proof that we haven’t spent any effort at looking what the full cost of this is going to be. Would the Minister commit to looking up that information and trying to prove to me and some of my good colleagues if this is worth it, if it is viable, if it is even smart? Would the Minister commit to...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I say this with respect, but I wish the Minister had that type of vision maybe to open up our treatment centre here in Yellowknife. We don’t have a Territorial Treatment Centre open. We could have spent that $3.3 million or whatever the actual dollars are. Why don’t we open a facility that this community is in desperate need of, because we have communities sending folks with problems to Yellowknife and they’re getting them out of the community? The cost is unreasonable. So how much is it now going to cost us if we spend $3.3 million in Hay River to renovate Dene...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Is the Minister suggesting any type of study or detailed information wasn’t required at this particular time? Maybe he could elaborate what a decision paper means, for the benefit of those tuning in. The decision paper; was it made by one person? Can you elaborate what it is? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I’m going to rise today, along with my other colleagues, in regard to the Territorial Treatment Centre that the government has proposed to transfer to Hay River. The concern I have, and I would like to clearly hear it from the Minister today, and I don’t want any long answers, I just want him to clearly say if there was a study and business plan done on this to move it to Hay River. If so, when was it written and discussed by Cabinet? Thank you, Madam Speaker.