Robert Hawkins

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 29)

Mr. Speaker, my constituent is a loyal listener of the Legislative Assembly proceeding and I can tell you they’re probably watching right now. Mr. Speaker, so he’ll be very pleased with that brief an answer.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, you know, I’m glad to hear it’s going to work out, from the sounds of what the Minister had to say, but sometimes it has to be approved up front and I am suggesting we create a process where we inform people up front that if they want the choice of independence, they can have that and make it on their own or if they want the choice to submit receipts, they have...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 29)

The Minister said this issue is raised every time he meets with the board of governors and he’s certainly said that this is a long-term plan of, I assume, his department or the focus of this government. What exactly is the long-term plan and what is his response to the board of governors in reflection of that long-term plan about establishing an independent campus here in Yellowknife on its own property and its own facility to help our students?

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 29)

I appreciate the Minister for answering every question, but the one I asked is: Where is the cost-benefit analysis on the process of looking at putting the Aurora College that’s downtown on its own independent campus to establish itself in its own right?

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 29)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to take the time to recognize one of our Pages, Ms. Paige Elkin. She’s a constituent in Yellowknife Centre as well as my kids’ favourite babysitter. Thank you.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 29)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures is pleased to provide its Auxiliary Report on the Review of the Report of the Chief Electoral Officer on the Administration of the 2007 Election and present it to the House.

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures tabled its first report, Committee Report 4-16, on the Review of the Report of the Chief Electoral Officer on the Administration of the 2007 Election on March 11, 2009. That report stated that additional research would be undertaken on three topics:

criminal records checks for candidates;

special ballots...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 29)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a constituent of mine for some time has been travelling to Edmonton on medical travel and their travel expense claims continues to be somewhat similar each time. Out of this process some difficulty has arisen but also a possible solution. What they did was they chose the lower cost option by renting a car from the airport to drive into the city for their appointments and whatnot and, of course, they came back to file their medical travel claim. To rent the car was actually cheaper than it was to do the normal $60 cab ride, $60 back and as well as all those...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 29)

Would the Minister be willing to supply that information provided through that cost-benefit analysis that was committed back in 2006 to be done, that would establish a view of establishing a long-term, permanent campus here in Yellowknife that’s independent?

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 29)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The need for an independent and permanent Yellowknife Campus for Aurora College has been an issue that’s long overdue in our city. It’s a demand and something that people want. I’d like to reference the Slave River Journal, our fine Premier just the other day, it says that a northern university is something that needs to be looked at. I can reference the Globe and Mail, our Excellency Michaelle Jean said forcefully that we need a northern university. Even going back to 2006, the Minister of ECE said he will do a cost-benefit analysis to constructing a new college campus...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 29)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to talk to Members about a relevant issue that happened two weeks ago in the New Brunswick Legislature. It all started when a retired school administrator, Frank Taylor, was forced to borrow $35,000 after he was diagnosed with cancer. The drug he needs is not covered by the provincial medical plan. Mr. Taylor collected almost 7,500 names on a petition, but when the Conservative health critic presented the petition to the Legislature, the acting Speaker was forced to reject it. The reason for the rejection was that more than 4,000 names were collected on...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 26)

Mr. Speaker, to avoid naming the specific company, the Minister knows the one I am referring to, because I actually brought it to his attention a couple of months ago. The fact is that the storefront exists but it was in the context of a manufacturing business that could be described as...Once the business was sold, the business moved all of its manufacturing to Edmonton to the company that does it. So they just filtered through the Yellowknife office. Mr. Speaker, by the definition of this Minister for ITI, in his view, would this still qualify as a northern business although it is sold to a...