Robert Hawkins

I can’t be the only one noticing the Minister continues to not answer the question, which is: What immediate response can the Minister, through the department, through that government, do to help the immediate need that everyday Northerners need, which is relief on their power bills? This government wanted to help the cost of living for Northerners and this is something we can do. I will continue to launch question after question on this issue until he does something. What can he do? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement both yesterday and certainly today, I talked about why Yellowknife is number one and certainly the Northwest Territories is number one when it comes to power rates. I’d like to ask the Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corp what relief he can provide Northerners for power bills. It is well beyond the reach of the normal working family who struggles through this.

What immediate relief can he start doing, especially in the Yellowknife region where power bills are costing people everything? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that we report progress.

---Carried

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the job that the House Leader has to do and I say that with great respect. He’s doing his job. As far as his challenge under 23(k) and (l), I think he’s in error and I’ll say why.

In the House yesterday, I will quote from unedited Hansard, “That was my intent when I said I apologize to this House sincerely and fully, and with that, I withdraw my remarks. My apologies for missing that last piece.” Of course, it also goes on, “It was not intended in any other manner.”

Yesterday I pointed out to the public who’s following this particular issue, yes, I did post...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Out of habit, I’ll stop saying dot and I’ll say period. I have one last motion at this particular time before me.

I move that subclause 173(1) of Bill 3 be amended by deleting paragraph (z.54) and substituting the following:

(z.54) respecting reporting in relation to the wounding, killing or capture of big game or other prescribed wildlife for the purpose of section 98.1, and requiring and respecting reporting of other matters in relation to the harvest of wildlife;

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have a couple of motions to read and I will obviously do them one at a time.

I move that subclause 173(1) of Bill 3 be amended by deleting paragraph (z.6) and substituting the following:

(z.6) respecting exemptions from the requirements under subsections 48(1) and (2) to complete an approved harvester training course and prescribing provisions of the act and the regulations for the purpose of subjection 48(2);

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that Bill 3 be amended by adding the following after clause 98:

Mandatory Reporting Requirement

98.1 A person who harvests wildlife in the Northwest Territories shall report the wounding, killing or capture of big game or other prescribed wildlife when requested by the Minister or in accordance with the regulations.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have a motion to move. I move that Bill 3 be amended by deleting clause 26.1. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to read in a motion for the record. I move that clause 26 of Bill 3 be amended by adding the following after subclause (2):

(3) A person who has not received a written response from a local harvesting committee, local band council or Metis council within 60 days after making a written request to the organization for a recommendation for a special harvester licence may, in writing, request the Minister to contact the organization to inquire about the status of the request.

(4) On receiving a request under subsection (3), the Minister may contact the local...

The Finance Minister is the one who has to carry this file and it’s unfortunate that he has to carry this file, which really isn’t his file to carry. It should have been handled, rightly so, by the Building Society. If they had provided a letter saying they supported this or not…They weren’t kept in the dark. To suggest that they are coming to the dinner is almost like the spider saying to the fly, come to dinner. I’m sorry, making them culpable by saying they will be there by dinner, don’t worry, we’re all one, doesn’t cut it for me. I don’t think it’s doing our job.

I shame all the MLAs who...