Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's a pleasure to be back here.

Mr. Speaker, as we all know, becoming a senior or elder is certainly a privilege and as I look around this Chamber, I see a lot of people heading in that direction. Some of us a little closer than others, obviously. But, you know, Mr. Speaker, respectfully, I certainly hope we all join that rank and privilege of being called a senior or elder.

That said, as an elder in training, Mr. Speaker, okay, I view my part here is to help support the seniors and the previous generations that have brought us to where we are today. I view this as a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today regarding the appointment of Ms. Krista Carnogursky as Ombud. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm well aware of the Canada-NWT Housing Benefit and, as a matter of fact, it would be cheaper if the government reinstated the hundred thousand dollars and applied for it directly. But that said, would the Minister be willing to send a team down to Avens and work with the seniors collectively and process and file applications, as individuals but in a group setting, so we get it done efficiently and we take this fearsome burden that has caused enormous anxiety to this community. And we need it now. Will the Minister step up and send a team down there...

I'm so excited, Mr. Speaker, and I'll do my part here.

The scorching issue I raised today is the crisis of affordability for seniors who live on fixed rent is quickly evaporating, and the NWT housing has reduced their contribution. Previous years, we've been reduced by a hundred percent -- and I'm trying to compress all of this in maybe one question, Mr. Speaker.

And whereby it was a direct drop in 14 percent of the support, will the Minister, just as the Premier has stated, recognize the pressures of those who are paying rent and the increases and problems it's causing, will she reinstate the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you, colleagues.

WHEREAS section 4(1) of the Ombud Act provides that the Commissioner, on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly, shall appoint an Ombud as an officer of the Legislative Assembly who is responsible for exercising the powers and performing the duties set out in this Act;

AND WHEREAS the Board of Management was tasked with recruiting the Ombud and has recommended an individual to the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Assembly is prepared to make a recommendation;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake...

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, May 27th, 2024, I'll move the following motion:

Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that Ms. Krista Carnogursky be appointed as Ombud for a term of five years in accordance with the Ombud Act by the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories as recommended by the Legislative Assembly.

And further, that the appointment become effective July 1, 2024.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will seek unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the Member for Mackenzie Delta to amend Motion 2320

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, upon that analysis, would the Minister be willing to take it to FMB to expand services and support programs to the communities and regions based on that type of information; will she become the new advocate? Thank you.

Well, it's a twopronged question, Mr. Speaker. The same question by the way. But, you know, it's the sense of the accessibility to diabetic supports, and without revisiting the earlier questions, it's about wait time getting a doctor to supply the information in the context of diagnosis and treatment of those supports. So, Mr. Speaker, my understanding is Yellowknife's the only area you can get dialysis and other types of supports for diabetic care. And I'd like to ask the Minister, again, is how is she going to expand this type of support services to those communities and regions to ensure...

Mr. Speaker, my loving wife is extremely clear on this next point. I cannot carry a tune, and for that I may even end up calling a Point of Order on myself, Mr. Speaker, so I in advance apologize unreservedly of what may come next. Mr. Speaker, I shall begin.

Mr. Speaker, first I was afraid. I was petrified. I kept thinking I could never live without the Members on my side. I spent so many sleepless nights thinking about the Simpson government and how it could go so wrong, but that's just wrong, Mr. Speaker, because we're all here to get along. Mr. Speaker, we're back in this great place, and...