Robert Hawkins

Mr. Chairman, I don’t disagree with the description or the common sense brought forward on this issue by the Finance Minister, which talks about the administration and the trust, the headaches of carrying on a society that probably isn’t necessary. I’m not arguing that. The issue I’m trying to lay before the House, quite simply, is did they provide a letter or any type of guidance to the House on is a $100,000 party okay. As far as I’m concerned, that’s 25 percent of this money. If you add the $25,000 on top of that, we’re talking one-third of this surplus money is not left for the building...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What I was going to say, in a roundabout way, was I find it difficult to take back passion and energy, but with that said, what I will do is I will respect the ruling and I will apologize for any concerns that I may have inflicted on Cabinet. What I will say, in short and in final, Mr. Speaker, it will not temper my passion to get the job done. Thank you.

I will just say that I do not agree with that interpretation and that I hear the Minister that the legal opinion may say that, but it’s my interpretation that when the money is to benefit the building, it is intended to benefit the building, not to be a celebration, party, travel fees, whatever. So I would like to register my concern and certainly grievance on this issue. Members in this building will know this is not new, this is consistent from my earlier opinion on this and I think the additional $125,000 should not be wrapped up in plane tickets or parties or whatnot, and what the whatnot...

I appreciate the answer from the Minister. The remainder balance, just to be clear on the record, because I’m not sure it’s an O and M supp question, I’d like to know officially how much that is allocated to and if the Minister could explain to me the policy by which the money was to be spent. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It was my understanding that there was a lot more money transferred to the Legislative Assembly by, I’m not sure what we call it, the Board of Governance; I’ve forgotten what it is called, the name. Sorry, thank you, the Building Fund. So the Building Fund, how much was fully forwarded to the Government of the Northwest Territories as an appropriation to the Building Fund? They wrote a cheque and I want to sort of start cross-referencing the number being spent or allocated today. Thank you.

Has the Minister of MACA ever gone to the FMB Cabinet table to fight for 911 and is he able to prove that for a fact? A lot of Northerners in this city and across the territory all feel that this issue continues to get dusted off and ignored. Thank you.

Thank you. Maybe the Minister could elaborate. The 911 issue has been brought up no less than 13 occasions in this Legislature and it was always hinging on being able to reach out to the communities and cell phone services. So I’d like the Minister to actually explain to this House what does he mean by he’s looking into this. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think we’re going to fight over Karen here because I thought she lives downtown. With that said, she is certainly worthy of the prize to fight for; she is such a great lady. I want to start off by recognizing Karen Wright-Fraser. She is known for a lot of things, not particularly because she worked with me a long time ago, but she is a talented artist in her own right and very well renowned. Her skill is amazing and she has great talent at keeping her traditional life.

The other constituent that I’d like to acknowledge, and who has been acknowledged several times...

My apologies, Mr. Speaker. 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. It was not intended in any other manner.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure met on September 18, 2013, to review Bill 13, An Act to Repeal the Curfew Act. Following the clause-by-clause review, a motion was carried to report Bill 13 to the Assembly as ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.

That concludes committee’s comments on Bill 13. Individual Members may have additional questions or comments as we proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.