Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today there’s still no cell phone ban legislation before this Assembly. There’s not even a legislative proposal coming forward that I’m aware of or anyone’s aware of, that I know. Mr. Speaker, the Minister still refuses to make the call on this issue. I’m not sure why; perhaps maybe just being stubborn. Mr. Speaker, the Minister’s leadership on this issue is so far behind I couldn’t even call him Johnny-come-lately. He just doesn’t care.
Mr. Speaker, I was watching TV the other day and Oprah Winfrey has even weighed in on this issue and she’s set up a blog and a website to show people she cares about this issue. She’s asked people to make pledges to show that they care about this issue, that they will not drive while using a cell phone.
Mr. Speaker, just this week Ontario and B.C. came forward with enforcement on their cell phone ban, which they had passed legislation some time ago. Mr. Speaker, we’re still behind Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Quebec and Saskatchewan on this particular issue. The Yukon itself has had two people, one on each side of its house, recognize the importance of this issue, one from its government side and one from its opposition side. Mr. Speaker, the trend should be clear. Mr. Speaker, Alberta itself is starting to recognize that this is an important issue that they need to examine thoroughly and find a way and an approach that works for their province.
Mr. Speaker, I talked to the SADD rep the other day and talked about pledge forms. I think something is coming forward where we can start engaging the youth. Maybe the youth need to show the leadership on this particular issue if the Minister refuses to do it himself. I question why do the youth understand this and the Minister does not. Is it one reason that he feels it’s a Yellowknife issue? Hopefully, he’s certainly come around to that by now. But the fact is it’s a safety issue, Mr. Speaker; a safety issue that at least 90 percent of the population of this country are protected by good legislation that speaks loud and clear. I only wish that Minister would answer that call too. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
