Statements in Debates

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Actually, I thought about this over the weekend and wondered how you would rule on this particular item. Obviously, I was hoping you would rule on my area, but your wisdom and guidance of the documentation before you has led you to your decision today and that I will respect.

Mr. Speaker, in short, I find it unimaginable how to take back…

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 39)

I guess now begs the question are we not breaking the bylaws or the spirit and the intent as prescribed that the whole surplus money, if there was money, was to be spent on infrastructure? I can appreciate maybe some is spent into the concept of packaging the infrastructure, organizing and launching it et cetera, but it sounds like more than 25 percent of it is being allocated to O and M, which, if I heard the Minister correctly, the intent was to be directed at infrastructure. Maybe he could explain that. Thank you.

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 39)

I thank the Minister for that. So my next question to the Minister would be that perhaps my NWT math isn’t so good, but I’m noticing there’s a discrepancy between the $400,000 being committed here, or perhaps my NWT math is pretty good. It looks like there’s a variance between the money being allocated and that’s going forward to be spent. Where is the rest of the money, if there is outstanding money, that would have been linked to the $400,000?

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think Mrs. Groenewegen put it very wonderfully in that letter in the sense of she spoke her heart. I think the letter conveys the pain that the mother had struggled forward through.

I have no doubt that this is a burden that is carried by many, if not a haunting reality that they go through every day, knowing that they have done everything perfect. Everything may have appeared perfect and then the world comes tumbling down around them.

This is a struggle that many of us may think has not touched us, but in some ways, when we dig deep, we find out that there are...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 39)

Thank you. Written words speak louder than oral words. So what is the Minister willing to table before this House or even put in a letter to Members to show that MACA is committed to this, rather than just standing here and saying we’re behind it? Well, let’s prove it. Thank you.

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week on Thursday I was trying to raise the issue of 911. The fact is, the concern in Yellowknife, as well as across the Northwest Territories, is this file still has gone nowhere.

So I ask the Minister of MACA, who is in charge of the 911 issue, I guess one could look at it that way or I don’t know what he’s doing with it. So that’s where my first question lies.

What is the Minister of MACA doing to move forward the file of 911 to ensure we have safety for all Northerners as requested by NWTAC, the City of Yellowknife and Northerners at large? Thank you.

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 39)

Mr. Speaker, when I was visiting constituents this summer, as I do each summer, I heard a number of complaints about this government, which should really be no surprise to anyone in this building. In fact, there were so many complaints about this government I don’t know if I can fit them all in, even in replies to the opening address.

However, particular attention was paid to this government’s lack of attention to families and their bottom line. People told me devolution is important over the long haul, but they can’t make the short haul, so the long-haul details really don’t matter.

In...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I could hear you that time. I apologize to the House in full. Thank you.

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 39)

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...

Debates of , 17th Assembly, 4th Session (day 39)

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.