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Crucial Fact

  • His favourite word was going.
Historical Information Robert Bouchard is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly November 2015, as MLA for Hay River North

Lost his last election, in 2015, with 35% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Committee Motion 146-17(5): Bill 64: An Act To Amend The Co-Operative Associations Act - Amendment To Clause 23, Carried October 6th, 2015

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act sets the rules for how we do business as MLAs, Cabinet and committees. At the end of each Assembly, we normally draft a bill to make various changes that are required and came to light during the previous four years.

The most important provision in this bill is a trigger clause that automatically changes the date of the General Election in the Northwest Territories from the first Monday in October to the third Monday in November in years where the campaign period for a federal election will overlap with that in the Northwest Territories.

The act makes several other housecleaning amendments to the bill. Some of these are consistent with recent changes to the NWT Act. Other minor amendments clarify existing practices.

I would be happy to respond to any questions the committee may have.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters October 6th, 2015

Yes, these are questions that came before our constituency meeting. Obviously, the department and health administrators typically meet and have those discussions without the interference of MLAs. Obviously, we’re wanting to get that information so that we can answer to the public the questions of where we went and how we got from a certain number to a different number to even a lesser amount. So, any information like that that the Minister can provide will give us way more ammunition for discussion. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters October 6th, 2015

Thank you, Madam Chair. I understand that explanation; I’m just wondering if there is any report or any kind of a briefing note that I can get from how we got from 32 to 21 down to 11, just so I know what the potential could have been, what the likes that we would like to have are and then what we actually got as far as positions and stuff like that. I know that’s been discussed between the department and the Hay River Health Authority and it’s been kind of a confidential document. But now that it’s been tabled today so now it’s open for discussion and it’s open for us to get that information, can I get that commitment? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters October 6th, 2015

Madam Chair, in the process here we’ve heard some stories of reports from the Hay River Health Centre or healthy authority that have a request for up to 33 positions. I think that was narrowed down to 21 and now has been approved for about 11.

I’m wondering if the Minister has any of the backup information on those positions and how we dwindled down from 33 to 11.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters October 6th, 2015

Thank you, Madam Chair. I had a question about the nursing inpatient services operation for the Hay River Health Centre. Obviously, I’m pleased to see some of the dollars for this new facility, but I know the demand and the request for a substantial amount more. Can the Minister elaborate on why those positions weren’t approved that we were asking for?

Motion 51-17(5): Appointment Of Chair To The Northwest Territories Honours Advisory Council October 5th, 2015

I give notice that on Thursday, October 8, 2015, I will move the following motion: now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that Mr. Paul Delorey of Hay River be appointed as chair of the Northwest Territories Honours Advisory Council.

Question 935-17(5): Deh Cho Bridge Referee Claim Review October 5th, 2015

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister keeps talking about we’re not done the bridge, and I’m not sure when we’re going to get that done. We know we’ve added stuff to the contract. We know we’ve added guardrails. We know we’ve added telephones to the system. Now we’re spending more money and the reason that this is on the floor today is because now we’re going to spend another 12 to 30 million dollars on the Tuk-Inuvik Highway. We’re willing to stroke a cheque for them, but when a contractor that’s done the work and has been talking to this government – and not only the Minister, the Premier, Members of the Cabinet all know the situation that’s going on here – we are not paying the bill.

The question is why, with all the extras that we’re adding on to it, why haven’t we paid Rowe’s for the stuff that they’ve already done on the bottom of this bridge, and now we’re adding stuff on the top? Thank you.

Question 935-17(5): Deh Cho Bridge Referee Claim Review October 5th, 2015

We know and the government is willing to say we’re using ATCON, a company that’s no longer there, using them as leverage. But when the government has inspectors in the project, they inspect the whole process. We had a whole bunch of stuff that was outside of the scope of the project. We hauled a whole bunch more rock from a longer distance. The Department of Transportation knew that. They gave approval to it and Rowe’s did that work.

Again, the Minister is indicating that there’s a merit there. Why are we not paying the bills based on a merit that we’ve given?

Question 935-17(5): Deh Cho Bridge Referee Claim Review October 5th, 2015

I am referring to Ruskin was on the job before ATCON started. We paid them out. We paid out several contractors that were doing work for ATCON that they held us accountable for the bridge. Rowe’s didn’t have that leverage. Why did we pay all those other contractors and we’re not paying Rowe’s?

Question 935-17(5): Deh Cho Bridge Referee Claim Review October 5th, 2015

Thank you. I’ll chime in, as well, and I think this is exactly what I was talking about in my Member’s statement about us working with businesses in the Northwest Territories.

The Minister indicated we were working with the company, yes, and that’s the problem. We were working with the company on a whole bunch of different problems and it’s taken four years with me as an MLA to get this to the floor of the House. The company has been very leery to take it to the House because they want to deal with the Department of Transportation. They have many contracts with them. We have them over a barrel. We paid out Ruskin.

Why did we pay out Ruskin and now are not willing to pay out Rowe’s?