Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me say that that whistle-blower legislation will be well received, because there are people out there who feel that their jobs are at risk when they put issues on the line by putting their name forward and saying I believe this is a problem. So, Mr. Speaker, the next problem I highlighted in my Member’s statement was lieu time. There is an unfair balance of how lieu time is orchestrated out there. It’s about fairness and morale and the fact that many people feel that this is an imposed change without any consultation. Can the Minister agree to go back and look at...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, during my Member’s statement, I raised a number of concerns at Stanton Hospital that I feel very strongly should be addressed. Can the Minister of Health and Social Services tell this House today that the survey we are talking about will be shown and guided with keen leadership? Will the Minister show that it will be an independent, open, fair discussion with all employees, both union and management, and be considered to be done at arm’s length to ensure there is full buy-in to ensure workers are happy and safe? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to talk about the health care workers at Stanton regarding fairness, a stress-free, and safe working environment. As of late, this weekend I had spoken to a constituent in regards to this important issue; their concern that a staff survey is being done, but want to know if the staff survey is independent. Who’s writing the questions? Are they yes’s and no’s? Are there any interviews being done? Are they really drilling down to what the problems are and are they part of the solution? There are concerns out there, Mr. Speaker, and that needs to be answered...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I rebut that, I won’t be able to ask my fourth question. Mr. Speaker, I raised another serious concern in my Member’s statement about relief workers and agency workers and the fact that there are many staff employees at Stanton who feel that they are losing their senior staff. They are getting new ones as good as they are, but the problem is we don’t have the experience and the seniority that that has. Our senior staff can get jobs in the Yukon or elsewhere at these great bonuses. There is no incentive. Would the Minister take on this problem and show some...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the issues that had been highlighted to me is the fairness of bringing issues forward without feeling the pressures of other people looking at you or implying things that aren’t right. We would all be well and good if we had whistle-blower legislation or an ombudsman for someone to complain to. So what is the Minister doing to ensure that we have anti-harassment training done and used, and to ensure that all employees feel safe to bring issues forward to management if there are problems, without any fear of reprisal? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Hiring agency nursing, Mr. Speaker, may help with the short-term pressures, but the question is, do we have the right staff levels there in the first place? Fixing the Public Service Act constantly gets raised about finding solutions. I say it’s time we be innovative and lead Canada rather than someone else coming up with a solution. Let’s find a made-in-the-north solution that recognizes seniorities. Sometimes we need to put the rules aside and look for solutions.

Mr. Speaker, I have to tell you a flag has been raised at that hospital. It’s not a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before I start, I should apologize to my colleague Mr. McLeod for knocking my glass over.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to discuss the issue about fly-in workers to the diamond mines. This is a growing concern of my constituents. This is a growing concern among northern communities. They are constantly asking, is this government doing enough to this problem? The socio-economic agreements between the diamond mines and the GNWT set out employment targets for northerners and aboriginal residents, Mr. Speaker. These targets for northern resident employment during the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Human Resources.

Could the Minister look into re-establishing a standard acknowledgment notice, either through e-mail or by post?

Could the Minister look at setting up a web page to let people know general information as to the status of jobs, such as:

open competition - accepting applications

competition close - screen

interviews

finish - appeal process

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, I see this as a communication opportunity, Mr. Speaker. I see this as an opportunity to be seen to be dealing with this problem, because it is a recognized, serious problem in the Northwest Territories. That’s why I’m asking the Premier. Now, it’s stated in the agreement the resource Minister has the ability to call upon them, but I think a letter from our Premier recognizing the gravity of this problem and his willingness to take leadership, because it affects multiple problems throughout our, sorry, multiple departments throughout our government. So, Mr. Speaker...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pretty sure I heard a yes in there, but I’ll ask it again to make sure that we get it absolutely clear on the record. Mr. Speaker, what I’m asking the Premier is, will he work with his resource Minister to call upon the diamond mines presidents to report before the Assembly process to have a question and answer period on this issue whatever process we need to access or vent through, of course? Would he agree to call them before this House and answer questions so we can finally deal with this problem face to face? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.