Statements in Debates
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize the students of Aurora College. That's an excellent campus downtown in the Yellowknife Centre riding. It's not exclusive in Yellowknife. Yes, we have a campus college in Fort Smith and Inuvik, but today we have the Yellowknife students. Hooray.
Also, Mr. Speaker, I'd also like to recognize a constituent, Corinna -- it looks like Pookas. I haven't met her but that said, I'd like to -- or Puskas, my apologies. Corinna Puskas and our -- seeing our proceedings before the House. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'll tell you what, I won't belabour this point on the TTC, but I would like maybe just one clarification which is when can we anticipate some type of idea or plan, proposal, of this particular initiative and that probably would be enough specific to the TTC. Thank you.
Thank you. And I thank both the Minister and the deputy minister for that. Is it -- or assistant deputy minister, although the last time I kept calling someone a higher title, they got the job so maybe it's good luck.
So more specifically, Mr. Chairman, can the assistant deputy minister or the Minister enlighten me as to two parts: The first part being the specific date on when the wellness recovery centre will open but, furthermore, what purpose are they working towards initiating a revised service at the TTC. In other words, is it compatible, does it work together, does it work in tandem...
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
WHEREAS Section 23(1) of the Human Rights Act provides that the Commissioner, on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly, shall appoint an executive director of the Human Rights Commission to carry out the responsibilities set out in the Human Rights Act;
AND WHEREAS the board of management is tasked with recommending an individual to the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Assembly is prepared to make a recommendation to the Commissioner;
AND WHEREAS the term of the current executive director of the Human Rights Commission is set to expire.
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE...
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Thursday, October 31st, 2024, I will move the following motion:
Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that the Legislative Assembly recommends the reappointment of Ms. Nicole MacNeil of Yellowknife as executive director of the Human Rights Commission during good behaviour for a term of four years as recommended by the board of management;
And furthermore, that the Speaker be authorized to communicate the effective date of the appointment to the Commissioner.
And Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be seeking...
Mr. Speaker, so in other words, is the government planning to lay these employees off noting that the official paperwork of layoff notices isn't given but this 21-week articulation of be aware of, well just be aware, and we don't know yet. So I need to understand, was it just a shout out over their bow to say we're not laying you off today but we don't have a plan, which means there may not be a job for you? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was getting phone calls, text messages, yesterday from people in the South Slave, more particularly in -- both in Hay River and Fort Smith, regarding the layoff notice the given to the Fort Smith correctional centre staff. And if I remember correctly, 32 employees work there. The finance Minister did say during Committee of the Whole back in June that they were pausing it with an uncosted plan, unplanned, but they were going to propose something, Mr. Speaker. I e-mailed the Premier last night for an update. I am going to ask the finance Minister, could...
Mr. Speaker, I think people would have a difficult time understanding why this is okay in the context of privacy and security during COVID when we couldn't bridge to non-COVID times. So, Mr. Speaker, would the Minister endeavour to see if we could change that -- whatever the obstructing policy is, and I'd like to hear what it is, why it was okay during COVID but not okay today. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. People are still calling the phone numbers provided and reaching grave disappointment. They're also even going down to the medical centre to book appointments, but they're told well, call -- call back.
So, Mr. Speaker, my question for the Minister, really, is focusing around accessibility to doctors. What is stopping the department from creating an online doctor booking appointment platform that all Northerners can access in a timely way? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would appreciate any committee update you can provide on that. And I can appreciate that these are just plans, not initiated yet but probably sort of bigger picture scoping of the issue at this particular time, and that's fine. Is there any way they could provide a monthly cost as to what the current day shelter costs the government in its current form, in its current location, where the old visitors centre is.