Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a question I would like to direct to the Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister whether his department has a policy for turnaround time for letters or concerns that are brought to his department. I have a constituent who wrote over three months ago and is still awaiting a reply. They received a form letter that says yes, we got your letter, thank you; but they're still waiting for a reply and it has been almost a week ago since I brought this to the Minister's attention. I would like to know whether his department has a policy as to turnaround time for things in his department.
Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
In the Legislative Assembly on June 20th, 1995. See this topic in context.
Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
June 19th, 1995
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Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Ng.
Return To Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the department doesn't have a policy in place for the turnaround time for responses. However, I would like to say that we try to get responses out in a fairly reasonable time. With respect to the issue that Mr. Whitford has brought forward from one of his concerned constituents, I would like to say that the department and I try to accommodate the concerns that are brought forward, first by Members of this Assembly; and, second, from political representatives elected at large through municipalities and organizations; and, third, concerns brought forward by constituents. Members of the general public at large voice a lot of concerns to my department with respect to decisions made by municipalities.
The life of politics, as we all know, is a tough business. Decisions that we make as politicians are always questioned, and it's no different in municipal politics. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.
Supplementary To Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
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Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Three months is a long time, three months plus is an even longer time. I can understand the frustration he may have in receiving many enquiries et cetera, but I'm sure the Minister can understand the frustration that Members face when their constituents don't get answers from our government. I would like to ask the Minister if he would be so kind as to address some of these things, and give an update after a period of time has elapsed, because three months is a long time. Could they give an update to the effect that they're at least working on something, or something like that, and not leave people in limbo?
Supplementary To Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1447
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1447
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, after the honourable Member brought forward his concern about the timing of response to his constituent's issue, I directed the department to forward a letter to the individual. It is in the process right now, Mr. Speaker, thank you.
Further Return To Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.
Supplementary To Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1447
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you. I appreciate the Minister's position but I would certainly like to receive from him his assurance that this won't go on beyond another week before a letter is received, at least a letter, in not more than one more week.
Supplementary To Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1447
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1447
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, Mr. Speaker, I can commit to that.
Further Return To Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1447
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Koe.