Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe this motion is a broad stroke approach of dealing with the problem. I think that, by amending and banning the use of hand-held devices, I think your interpretation of hand-held devices could be something from shortwave radios where a lot of our people in our communities who don’t have cell phone service have the radio system already in their vehicles. We have service providers regardless if it’s the truck drivers’ association or basically providers from the construction companies or people that depend on communications on our road systems to have communications transit where, basically, when you’re moving and someone wants to get a hold of you, you’re able to respond by way of radio communication. I think that simply focusing on one then applies it to everyone else and I think that we have to realize that when you talk about banning all hand-held devices, this motion is unacceptable to all communities.

The other thing on cell phone services, well, let’s get cell phone services in all 33 communities, then let us make that decision. I think when we get to that point, then we can bring in legislation where we’re on the same playing field. But when you’re putting in fine print that this includes all hand-held devices, which means communication devices in the vehicles regardless if it’s shortwave radios in a private vehicles or radios that basically are used by way of the contractors and truckers on the highways, that this has to be clearly stipulated.

Mr. Speaker, I think it’s critical, following up with my colleague Mr. Menicoche, that it’s public awareness and making public education a priority of this

government and making people aware that there are ways of communicating without putting yourself at risk. I think it’s a learning trend that we have to get people into and it’s got to be a mindset that people have to realize. I think by making these types of changes, we might mean well by doing something, but exactly what are the consequences to other service providers in the Northwest Territories, regardless if it’s people that basically provide construction services on our highway systems, individuals who basically may have a shortwave radio in their vehicles where they pick it up, someone calls you, you’re responding. Is that also going to be banned in this motion? I believe that’s what it says.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I will not be supporting this motion.