Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm going to say two things. The first thing is I'm very supportive of Bill 17…and I stress, wait for the second. I can't see why we would stop or stall, because I really believe in rights and the acceptance of rights. But I can't say that on one hand, without giving my colleagues the extra couple of months that they have asked for. That's all that they have asked for. The problem is what do we do if it prorogues, and that's exactly it. I need to hear how it's brought back on the paper by someone who is speaking in favour of the delay, how we assure that that can...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I will be voting in favour of the motion. Although I personally prefer winter elections to show how hardy we are as northerners. I want to emphasize that I think Mr. Zoe is right; we will see this a few times, so it can be further debated later. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to add my voice to my colleague Mr. Robert Villeneuve, and I want to speak of my support for the affirmative action policy. I am in support of the policy. I am a firm believer of providing opportunities to our northerners, born and bred, to our long-time residents and minority groups, so we can get them involved in the process of governing and running the territory. Mr. Speaker, the NWT is a fine example where policies such as ours are beneficial to the development and prosperity of all regions and our people.

The diverse makeup of our shared territory and the recent...

Thank you, Madam Chair. At this time, I believe I am moving the last motion. I move that this committee recommends that a comprehensive review of the Elections Act be undertaken by the Chief Electoral Officer and a revised act be presented to the Legislative Assembly for consideration;

And further, that the Plebiscite Act be repealed and that the provisions for the administration for plebiscite and referendum be integrated into the revised Election Act. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t really have a lot to say because all of my colleagues have said quite a bit already. Keeping that in mind, I have not had a lot of personal calls from injured workers. I wish to assure everyone that my phone is on the hook.

I will emphasize, Mr. Speaker, I have had phone calls from the employer’s side. The employer’s side is they are very concerned with the way the rates are and how they keep climbing up. One year it is 26 percent, the next year it’s even more, and who knows where it is going to be the next year.

Mr. Speaker, I am in support of this and I...

Thank you. I believe that the Law Clerk perfectly clarified the questions that essentially as I understand it -- and I would request that the Law Clerk correct me if I’m wrong -- but as I understand it, 11(a) is basically a delay tactic or, I should say, a delay switch on this legislation. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I respect my colleagues who are putting forward this and I want to emphasize at least enough so they know that I’d like to understand what this means. So I’m trying to figure out exactly what 11(a) really means. Parliament dissolves tomorrow, be it whatever reason, does that mean that this comes into force or does that mean that this issue is completely off the table? How do we get answers to these types of questions, because I can’t ask the mover? So do we ask the Law Clerk to clarify that, or do we ask the Minister back into the chair? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. I will be very brief. First of all, I will be supporting this bill. I want to recognize that rights of individuals don't evolve with the times. I won’t go on at length, but I really believe in that.

Although many of my colleagues here, I wish to stress, will not be supporting this bill, I do personally want to applaud that they are following their personal beliefs. I know that this is a decisive issue with a lot of people out there. Even with my constituency I have had calls on both sides of the equation. I want to emphasize that I do have personal respect...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment just nailed it there by saying that there’s no question that attendance is a problem in the Northwest Territories. He just nailed it exactly. Mr. Speaker, he said use their funding. Well, funding is prescriptive. It takes all the wiggle room out of schools so they just can’t do whatever they want to do. It’s already implemented and tied to certain issues. So, Mr. Speaker, I really like this comment by saying that we will support them. Well, will we support them with direct funding to one social liaison worker for each...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have to admit I was lost there because we’re not talking about shoes; we’re talking about making sure that kids go to school here. Maybe my question was too fast. Mr. Speaker, I got these comments from research, who read the blues which are the unedited Hansard. I put a lot of faith in their questions, or their development of some of these questions.

Mr. Speaker, will this Minister agree to look into the problem of dealing with absentees and truancies by putting a community liaison such as a social worker in each educational authority in the NWT? Thank you, Mr. Speaker...