Debates of May 27, 2004 (day 14)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in follow-up to the questions to the Premier with respect to the Member’s statement and the response of Mr. Zoe to this very serious matter, I would like to ask the Premier more questions.

As a preamble what I want to say is I don’t think we can negate the body language we are getting from Mr. Zoe in the House here, for which I also call the Premier responsible. I am not seeing a person one bit sorry or taking responsibility. I am seeing someone sitting over there shaking their head at me with a big attitude. That is not helping his case, might I say.

I would like to know if the Premier is aware of the nature of the comments Mr. Zoe made in this very public incident which took place at the Royal Canadian Legion. I concur with Ms. Lee. He can stand up and say this is a personal and private matter, but Mr. Zoe is the one who chose to make this a public matter when he decided to do what he did, and now all of a sudden we are being viewed as uncharitable about this. He was responsible for his actions. You are saying he is giving you his commitment? He gave you his commitment before. What happened to that commitment? Is the Premier aware of the nature of the comments that were made? Thank you.

Mr. Premier.

Return To Question 158-15(3): Nature Of The Conduct Of Minister Zoe

Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the nature of the comments. I am not aware of the exact wording of the comments. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 158-15(3): Nature Of The Conduct Of Minister Zoe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, without the exact wording, would the Premier share with the House what were the nature of the comments that Mr. Zoe made? Thank you.

Mr. Premier.

Further Return To Question 158-15(3): Nature Of The Conduct Of Minister Zoe

Mr. Speaker, the comments, as they were relayed to me, were comments that were found to be offensive. They were comments made against people who come from Newfoundland, and people were offended. They relayed that to the management. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 158-15(3): Nature Of The Conduct Of Minister Zoe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What does the Premier have to say to the people of the Northwest Territories who come here from other jurisdictions who are hardworking contributors to the northern society? What does he have to say to those people about whom these comments were made? Thank you.

Mr. Premier, Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 158-15(3): Nature Of The Conduct Of Minister Zoe

Mr. Speaker, I am sorry that these comments were made. I have tremendous respect for all people, no matter where they have come from who live and work in the Northwest Territories, and without any hesitation at all I can say that I apologize to anyone who may be offended by things that are said by individuals in Cabinet, or individuals anywhere. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 158-15(3): Nature Of The Conduct Of Minister Zoe

Mr. Speaker, maybe the Premier could share with us his understanding of a Cabinet Minister’s responsibility as to when they are on duty, and when are they representing this government and the views of this government. Is this just during working hours, or what obligations does a Cabinet Minister have in terms of the things that come out of their mouths and the actions that they take in public? Thank you.

Mr. Premier, Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 158-15(3): Nature Of The Conduct Of Minister Zoe

Mr. Speaker, for all of us who take responsibility for public office we, whether we are MLAs or Cabinet Ministers or Premier, are on the job 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and I think during the last few days that lesson has certainly come home to all of us, that we do not have a period on any day where we can just sort of opt out into a private life. That doesn’t happen in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.