Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have to really say thank you, Mr. Premier, I think that’s a good day for the Northwest Territories as well as a good day for the other two territories taking a serious look at this issue. I think it’s a great day. I’m excited to hear that, I guess. All I can ask at this stage, assuming that the letter is probably in draft with some confidence between the other Premiers, would the Minister be able to share a draft copy with MLAs at this time to see what you are asking to get a sense of that perspective, as well as I think you indicated or alluded to a package?...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier, the Honourable Joseph Handley.

Please provide to all Members of this House the total yearly funding contribution made to the Government of the Northwest Territories by the federal government in the last 10 years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise again to speak about my concerns about the territorial government not having a formal policy in dealing with social housing with people with disabilities. Mr. Speaker, I happened to go back to the transcripts and I noted that for some reason that slipped through my fingers during question period, and so I will be raising that concern with much stronger diligence this time.

Mr. Speaker, I had asked the Minister at that time about where our policy is, and I still don’t see us having a policy and I’m afraid that got missed. So, Mr. Speaker, I have to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I totally support this motion. I just want to make a couple of quick comments. First of all, I find it really heartening that we have a clause in there that points out about disabilities and independent living. Mr. Speaker, I would like to see that this government takes a strong, firm grip on the type of policy that helps enable our people in healthy living conditions.

Mr. Speaker, I truly believe housing is a critical issue out there. It’s a basic need. Tom Jackson, the famous singer, once said, you know, if there’s no house, life doesn’t really matter. He...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when does that agreement that the honourable Minister speaks about expire, and does that apply just to surgeons or does that apply to all general practitioners? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise again today because I have a question for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Yesterday I talked about my concerns about the shortage of doctors in emergency rooms and in clinics. Mr. Speaker, a national physician survey conducted by the College of Family Physicians in Canada, the Canadian Medical Association, and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons basically said there was an alarming state in regards to doctor supply. In brief, there were two serious observations: 21,000 doctors were surveyed, and 60 percent of them are...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will now be looking for the Minister to go over the top from whelming me to overwhelming me. Will the Minister commit that by the new year he will investigate and have a report back on developing a policy based on national standards for our social housing for people with disabilities in regard to accessibility issues? Will he commit to having that done by the new year so we have something once he’s had a chance to investigate it? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is in line with all the other Members here on theme day for the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, I’m looking for a commitment from this Minister. Will this Minister develop a policy that will meet the existing standards based on accessible living for people with disabilities in social housing? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, speaking from a territorial perspective now, what are we doing about the small communities that suffered these services? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this survey noted that 26 percent of the doctors are scaling back their service in the next few years. Mr. Speaker, only four percent are looking at increasing the service. Historically doctors have been known to work 70 and 80 hours per week, whereas now they are working barely 50. Mr. Speaker, what is the department doing? I would like to hear a concrete plan of what they are doing as an action plan to bring new doctors to the Northwest Territories, recognizing that 60 percent are scaling back and 3,800 are potentially retiring within two years across...