Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I appreciate the opportunity to ask one more question -- or maybe more, who knows?

Mr. Speaker, the polytech continues to be a significant concern in Yellowknife and they view it as a territorial institution, not just a Yellowknife issue. But because I live here, I get asked about it regularly by people I see at the grocery store, etcetera.

Mr. Speaker, let's start off first with is it the intent of the government to ensure that the push forward on the initiative of a polytech, and can the Minister elaborate on some timelines as how she sees it rolling out or...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the answer. Disappointed, but appreciated the answer. Mr. Speaker, there are more regulations on bicycles and pedestrians than there are on these e-scooters, and they contemplate heavily on the concern and safety of both the riders and the public, Mr. Speaker. Is there any way we can bridge some mechanism by defining e-scooters in a manner of saying that they will be treated such as in a similar way as bicycles? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, we have genuine qualified professionals who want to live here in the Northwest Territories. They want to be contributing to the fabric of who we are and where we're going to be to care for Northerners. Mr. Speaker, they view this, in short, is protectionism without creating opportunities that we're inviting. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister be willing to assess and recommend the elimination of those hours required to practice assuming they qualify in all other areas of education and experience? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will accept the details in writing. Mr. Speaker, the BC model, if I remember correctly, is to further train and assess them at their cost. Is that how it is going to -- is that how the model's intended to roll out under this leadership of this Minister and working with CAN and the NWT Nursing Association, or will there be a bridging support program to help these individuals? Because the last time I was told this person, this family, was instructed to move to Alberta, go get your hours there, then hey, move back. We have to have a reasonable model. So, please...

Yeah, Mr. Speaker, first I want to stress an apology. It only occurred to me when I was making my general comments that, you know, this should be a consideration and hence I just saw this as -- when I said I don't know what the right vehicle is and I thought well, why don't I just suggest adding those two words to be inserted -- well, technically three words to be inserted after association of communities.

Mr. Chairman, this is only about opening a conversation and if they are not interested, that's okay too. So the amendment, whether it passes or fails, I hope it at least takes the...

Mr. Speaker, I read every word in this letter very closely. I did not see we’re big business, we need a big pass. What it says is we see opportunity and we need a partner. Mr. Speaker, would the Premier commit to updating us on progress on all of these initiatives outlined by the Burgundy letter in a way that even Members can see where we can help support this industry to employ Northerners and to help continue to make the territories an economically viable place to live and work. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just briefly I want to thank the committee on their work and, of course, acknowledge the future work on this particular initiative. That said, under recommendation number 2 I just want to make a quick observation. This is an area I've seen for years, which is an opportunity for the chief electoral officer to engage with others -- other partners. This one specifically notes the NWT Association of Communities. I certainly support that. And I would also say there's a great opportunity to bolster and support the elections office by seeing if we could partner with...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The reason I'm going to the Premier is, first, he's the head of the government in the context of Cabinet; it also sews over many departments and it's difficult -- I'd be here for weeks and months if not trying to get every Minister through the cycle of asking questions hence I'm trying to point them.

So what type of Cabinet direction is being provided or what could be provided with respect to the concerns raised? I could go through them. I think the Premier's well versed in them or at least aware of them, generally speaking. But I want to emphasize just on one micro...

Mr. Speaker, by saying I would never be petty implies I am being petty. And as such, I leave it for the House to make the decision. I think the most honourable thing, and request I'm asking for, is an acknowledgement that that phrase targeted me was inappropriate, and I would accept any apology if given or whatever decision of the House seems appropriate. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, it could never be said enough that our interpreters and translators do an important job, and sometimes I don't know how they keep up with us when we get going but acknowledging one particular translator, Ms. Sarah Cleary, she's a constituent and she's a translator extraordinaire, grateful for her services and her kind friendship. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.