Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the detailed information from the Minister. I thought he was running the clock on me. Mr. Chair, I thought, if I understand it correctly, the Akaitcho are going to run a water summit coming up here. I am not sure why the Minister would want to be running one as well. I don’t know if he is competing or enhancing it some other way, but I am just curious on this technical advisor detail and then you went on further to talk about the impacts of oil sands. I am surprised you are not going off to an area in discussion that talks about reaching CPAWS and things...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish I could be talking about the abuse of alcohol today…(inaudible)…with my colleagues, but with a short session I have another topic I have to raise today that’s very important. March 31st is always a significant date in the NWT and it’s the end of the government’s fiscal year. As well, it coincides with the end of many contracts that go along with our NGOs. Today I’d like to talk about one of those contracts, or lack of contracts, Mr. Speaker.

Workers at Aven Manor in Yellowknife saw their contract expire six weeks ago, on March 31st. These...

Yes, still there.

I haven’t changed.

Thank you, Madam Chair. If the Minister could further explain in detail, we have an item listed as $221,000 to provide funding to ensure GNWT’s interest in current and emerging water management issues are maintained. Maybe he could explain what that statement means. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, Mr. Speaker, let’s be honest; we’re not talking about a typo here; we’re talking about a company that misrepresents themselves with false information by saying we will offer a service by bringing forward this professional who’s competent. Mr. Speaker, I think we’re really down to an ethical question that the Minister should be asking himself. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister go back and review this and do the right decision by pulling back this contract and reissuing a fair tender; therefore, we have all the facts on the table and the most honest and fair process...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate that. Mr. Speaker, I’m sure the firm that’s offering this program offers competent programs but, Mr. Speaker, the fact is that they misrepresented themselves and the Minister doesn’t seem to characterize false information or misrepresentation as a no-no. Mr. Speaker, what investigation has the Minister done to ensure that this was either the only issue or what other issues may have arisen? Because if you’re putting in a proposal that is not full and true, this government should not be honouring it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Is there an expectation in any way that we will have some type of parking for RVs this summer? Is there anything to be done, explored, that the Minister can talk about, or is it just planning money for maybe next year? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, could I get the Minister’s position on adequate funding for NGOs in regards to wage parity? Is this an issue that the department feels that should be solved? Thank you.

Thank you. Well, I did not believe him the first time, but now that we have this newfound revelation before us, will this be the only project or is he anticipating more projects to come forward in the near future? Thank you.