Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As the time and certainly the clock of the day is running out, I’m going to be really brief and then I’ll report progress from thereon in.

The issue I wanted to highlight and say is that I’m very excited to see that the two schools have made the capital plan this year, and I think that couldn’t have been done without the great work of all Members on this particular side of the House. I know that each Member was very gracious on supporting that these two plans, one for Mildred Hall and one for Sissons, got on the books. I know it was raised by many of my colleagues over...

Can the Minister clearly say to this House that no decision will be made if the case need be to advance money on this project, that no decision will be made if Members are not around in any normal form or fashion to be able to participate in a meaningful discussion, debate and decision?

If there is some decision, I just don’t know how it’s going to happen and I’d hate to see a Deh Cho Bridge déjà vu all over again.

So, is the Minister going to say to the House clearly that no decision will be made in absence of the Members being able to fully participate in the decision?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I gingerly put it on three occasions here in my Member’s statement, or during my question statement that is, to frankly ask are layoffs happening and is that being considered. The Minister at no time took the opportunity to say that it isn’t part of the evaluation process that will ultimately be decided by the 18th Assembly.

The Minister can deny it on the last one because he gets the last word, but the fact is, is the government looking at drafting layoff plans as part of the consideration going forward in the 18th Assembly? If the Minister says no, great, but the...

Mr. Speaker, the new government hasn’t taken over, so the operation of the present government in the context of finance is the responsibility of the present government and, furthermore, the responsibility of the Finance Minister. So when departments are drafting these potential lists for consideration for future governments, it’s a responsibility of today at today’s direction, which is ultimately the responsibility of this House, Mr. Speaker.

What type of transparency process is put into place as the government cobbles these options together? Ultimately, I am worried about fair, honest and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I see that we have two of my constituents, although they’ve already been recognized, but they certainly deserve the credit and recognition once again. I’d like to recognize constituent Chief Superintendent Ron Smith and Superintendent Mike LeSage. They’re not only constituents, they’re both neighbours, so I feel very safe and very proud to have our RCMP members here in the gallery today.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Actually, it’s interesting that we are talking about this. It’s not about the power and it’s not about the rate increase. I think this is about the procedural step that Members feel denied. We shouldn’t cloud the issue with whatever goodwill and intent was provided by the Minister and his argument based solely on the fact to shelter constituents would be an argument worth any opportunity to make time and time again.

Are we worried about why we did it or what method it was done by? I think the merits of why it was done perhaps says, yes, we had to find a way to ensure...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure has reviewed the following bills: Bill 45, An Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Act; Bill 49, An Act to Amend the Deh Cho Bridge Act; Bill 60, An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act, No. 2; Bill 61, An Act to Amend the Public Airports Act; and Bill 65, An Act to Amend the Safety Act.

Mr. Speaker, the standing committee wishes to report that Bills 49, 60 and 61 are ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole and Bills 45 and 65 are amended and reprinted and...

As we all know, time and time again, that budgets aren’t drafted overnight. It takes many months and planning, Mr. Speaker, and many months and planning without Members that just show up on our desks before they need to be approved.

That said, the reality is the public service, the management, the bureaucracy, you name it, they’ve spent many months of planning. I am asking about what exercises are being drafted now for consideration going forward. Yes, these budget exercises may be the final ultimate decision of the 18th Assembly and when it rolls in, minus a couple of Members, it might be a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have questions for the Minister of Finance about jobs. As I mentioned in my Member’s statement today, my concerns are about public service jobs and fair and transparent notice.

I’ve been told by our program managers that they’ve not been filling positions and they’ve pulled some off the table during competition processes because deficits are growing and they’re recognizing this both in the regular public service as well as in our authorities, which are ultimately a responsibility of the House.

Finally, the Members at large have seen the fiscal outlook, and frankly...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As this Assembly rolls closer and closer to its final days, I can honestly say, “Thank goodness.” The problem I see now is not watching the journey of the four years that have come and gone but it’s what is in store for the next four years.

Take for instance when I returned to the House in 2007, only then we learned about the Roland government’s butchering and contriving of cutting 135 jobs and $135 million out of the budget of the day, not to mention the bridge surprise which, of course, all came out of nowhere.

So where did it come from? Well, the simple marching...