Robert Hawkins

Mr. Speaker, does the Minister of Public Works and Services monitor the percentage difference between contract bids and contract payments and, if so, what is an acceptable percentage if things are over? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister today commit in this House that he would go out to some type of public consultation to engage our engineers and architects on coming up with sustainable design principles for all our public government infrastructures so the percentage of cost overruns are minimized? For a note to that, Alaska has 15 percent as an acceptable overrun. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there’s a solution to this obvious problem. We could engage our public, we could engage our professionals about true, real designs for our northern location. I’m tired about hearing about cost overruns, about one project delaying or possibly cancelling out another because of the skyrocketing costs. I think the future and expansive growth of our Northwest Territories requires smart design, and with community involvement we could solve this problem together. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, I have letters that have been sent in from doctors, clinical therapists, even the former president of the Housing Corporation and directors of the Housing Corporation that have all said in a timely way they will make sure she gets a unit. By the way, Ms. Tees was one of the genesis clients to go out there to find out what they need for a disabled building to suit disabled people’s needs. So, Mr. Speaker, will the Minister of the Housing Corp go back and have this policy reviewed in a fair way, because it’s my opinion that it’s a human rights breach? Thank you, Mr...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is an honour today to recognize Ms. Carmen Tees. She is a constituent of mine. She suffers from MS. She is here today because of this important issue that I have been raising in my Member’s statement. She will further hear my questions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Madam Chair. I just have a few brief comments. I would like to say I am impressed and quite pleased with the Greenhouse Gas Strategy that is coming forward. I am very pleased to see some of the initiatives that I was asking for last year finally coming to life: hybrid vehicle credits, wood pellets and wood stoves. Those are very important things. I think we still have a long ways to go in this particular area. I think we still tend to focus in on the individual rather than the bigger problems, which are industry and the transportation sector. But I think we are certainly...

Mr. Speaker, if I can refer without reading them, I have two NWT Housing Corp letters, one from the president and one from the director of policy and programs, instructing the Yellowknife Housing Authority to accommodate this constituent as soon as any facility becomes available that is absolutely suitable. Mr. Speaker, we have an eight-plex next door right out her front window, Mr. Speaker, or side window, sorry. The fact is it’s there and now they have obstructed her entering this building because she has a cat. Are they afraid of a little cat, for goodness sakes, Mr. Speaker? Mr. Speaker...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today, I spoke about my constituent, Ms. Carmen Tees, who is in the gallery today who is suffering from MS, as well as depression, austio arthritis, sleep apnea, and she’s shut in most of the year. She is not allowed to move into the new apartment building that is barrier free because she has a cat. Mr. Speaker, I have two small points to make. The Yellowknife Housing Authority has made a no pet policy for this building and that is a human rights breach. Mr. Speaker, I would like to hear the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation position of whether...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. May I begin today by reminding all Members today is red Friday and I am wearing a red tie to honour our Canadian Armed Forces.

Mr. Speaker, in 1859, Florence Nightingale, the famous founder of our modern nursing profession, promoted the important role pets play in therapy. She said a small pet animal is often an excellent companion for the sick, especially those battling long, chronic conditions. Since then, many studies have proved the benefit of human-animal bonds. Medical and emotional improvements have been recognized as a result of therapeutic value found in pet...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Minister’s position on the fact that they are not allowed to breach human rights. So, Mr. Speaker, I would like to get a commitment from the Minister today because we own the buildings and we can set policy, territorial-broad policy, not just one housing authority, all housing authorities. I would like him to agree today that he will go in and investigate this problem and make sure that we do not have to march down to the Human Rights Commission office downtown to make sure this lady gets into this unit, because she absolutely deserves...