Robert Hawkins

Déclarations dans les débats

Debates of , (day 43)

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.

Debates of , (day 39)

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.

Debates of , (day 39)

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...

Debates of , (day 39)

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...

Debates of , (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to return to oral questions, item number 6 on the agenda. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , (day 39)

I will answer the question too, Mr. Speaker. If I have to work both sides of this House, I will for the citizens of Yellowknife. Sorry; I was on a soapbox there. Mr. Speaker, the issue is the budget for the City of Yellowknife passed on December 31st, but it only has three months left in that calendar year of that agreement. So essentially, the City of Yellowknife is passing their budget with only three months left of a funding agreement. They have to wait for the new year to be rolled out by MACA and the new year is signed in April. So would the Minister at least agree today that this is a...

Debates of , (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am going to continue on the questions of multi-year funding that were brought up during my Member’s statement. My question is to the Minister responsible for the FMBS. Mr. Speaker, the City of Yellowknife, to a large extent, is planning nine months in the dark every year they pass their budget on December 31st because they have to wait until April 1st for the territorial budget to be passed. Does the Minster agree it would make better sense to approve funding for municipalities to look at approving multi-year funding in accordance with the municipal...

Debates of , (day 36)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for his answer. Mr. Speaker, before this story goes too much further, would the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment look into this situation before this so-called story of a person using their language is being discouraged? Before it goes through the meat grinder of arbitration and whatnot, would the Minister look into this before it goes too far? Thank you.

Debates of , (day 36)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I will focus my question to the Premier, and he can forward it thereon in. Does the government have a policy to discourage people to use their first language?

Debates of , (day 36)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my household, we speak approximately four languages, three languages of Chinese -- one would be Cantonese -- and, of course, English, because that is the main one I understand. Mr. Speaker, Canada is a melting pot of acceptance. It is kind of like a secret recipe of culture, but when you start throwing out the right to use one’s language, it is like revealing the recipe or throwing out an important element of that recipe. Mr. Speaker, my first question was not answered. What is the Premier’s position on the usage of the official languages in the...