Robert Hawkins

Is there any change to the scope, as I was asking just a minute ago? Did it still remain the same? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I heard Mr. Moses’ discussion regarding the Inuvik Airport terminal and how it was being repaired. The contract has been put out. I know the contract has been awarded at least a couple of months ago. I am just wondering the cost of that particular contract on that repair. Let’s start with that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will just provide a couple of quick ones. First of all, I see there is no mention about the work being done on Highway No. 4, unless I missed it. I will also say that I don’t notice much being planned. I know this is not a capital budget, but there is no mention of Highway No. 7 at this time either. I think these are two major projects that seem to be put on the backburner. As I realize, this is not a capital budget, but the fact is that these are major initiatives. There is one all left off the table and one is being worked on behind the scenes. You would think that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have one written question today.

Would the Premier please provide a list of all direct appointments made by Cabinet since the beginning of the 17th Assembly? The Premier’s response should specifically note the employing departments and reasons why competitions were not held for positions filled by direct appointment.

I would find it odd. In this particular case I’m not an accountant and I don’t try to represent one, but I would say that your full-cost accounting it makes sense to recognize that cost. That said, we get budgeted and that gets taken out of our budget so it’s got to show up somewhere on our revenue side of stream. So why wouldn’t we show that somewhere, because it looks like it’s been taken out but it mysteriously just vanishes. From an accounting point of view, it almost seems like there’s no close to the file.

I was also really referring to not just folks in some type of technical training program, but I was talking about the ages of high school. You know, your ages between Grades 9, 10, 11, 12. This could probably fit into some type of programming. Obviously, a fair bit of investigation would need to be done, but I’m thinking along the programming of career and life management that we offer our kids that they are all expected to take. This would be a good social value as well as a social skill to add to their toolbox of learning and sort of a broader community benefit.

That said, as I mentioned, I...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve got one written question today.

Would the Minister of Transportation please provide details for all negotiated, sole-source or similar types of contracts which are being arranged or have been entered into since he became Minister of Transportation? Please include specific details such as prices, location, scope of work and successful contractors for the past three years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll just be really quick. I want to thank the Members who are voting in favour of it. I want to thank those just a little bit less who will be abstaining, and certainly those – darn it – I wish we could have persuaded those who are voting against it. But in all seriousness, this is a very important subject and I want to say that I do recognize and respect those that feel strongly that they have to vote against it. Of course, in this business you can’t hold those as grudges. You have to realize that’s how they feel and you have to respect it. I recognize and respect...

Mr. Speaker, that is certainly good news by all accounts. When can we expect some type of public dialogue on this change of thinking? I don’t believe that tanning is a good thing, but many people will want some type of public discussion on this, at least information on the issues and changes coming forward. Quite simply put, is there a public component to the shifts in policy thinking? How does the public get more information? Thank you.

As I mentioned earlier, this is a significant issue with a number of Members here and I’m glad we’re starting to have this type of discussion. I would like to now move a committee motion on page 10-17 and I will read it as follows: