Mr. Speaker, is this initiative still really on the table, or is it just -- we'll call it a paper exercise? So in other words, what indication is the Minister getting that this is going to be eventually approved? Thank you.
Robert Hawkins

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MLA for Yellowknife Centre
Won his last election, in 2023, with 42% of the vote.
Statements in the House
Question 717-20(1): Status of Northwest Territories Project Finance for Permanence May 26th, 2025
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, six months ago, this Assembly stopped at nothing to approve an initiative brought forward by the Indigenous governments, and their proposal, I believe, was called the NWTPFP -- I'm not sure why it's actually specifically called project finance permanence. But that said, must matter. So there was $375 million being offered, and the NWT government potentially could stand in the way if we had dragged our heels. In short, Mr. Speaker, it was about a project of lands and keepers of the land, and I'm giving a simple description of it, but it's never been approved federally. So my question to the Minister is is where is it today, and what advocacy is our government doing to get this money approved so it can come into the Northwest Territories to protect the land? Thank you.
Question 714-20(1): Northwest Territories Nominee Program Extensions May 26th, 2025
Mr. Speaker, is the Minister supportive of the program to get the nominees and what's wrong with getting 50 refugees? It will help solve our economic crisis here we're having in the Northwest Territories, in all our communities, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, would the Minister write the federal Minister responsible for this file and take the 50 refugees so we can get the 150 nominees?
Question 714-20(1): Northwest Territories Nominee Program Extensions May 26th, 2025
Mr. Speaker, old government/new government, good offer/bad offer - I don't know. So why did the Minister refuse the 50 refugees so we couldn't get the opportunity for the 150 nominees? Thank you.
Question 714-20(1): Northwest Territories Nominee Program Extensions May 26th, 2025
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to follow up with a further question with the Minister of ECE.
So we've been told by elected officials outside of this House that the Minister has been offered 150 nominees if the GNWT demonstrates their utilization rates for asylum seekers, Mr. Speaker, through the program. Basically, take 150 refugees and get 150 -- and just to be clear, take 50 refugees and get 150 nominees. Can the Minister confirm this? Thank you.
Question 711-20(1): Northwest Territories Nominee Program Extensions May 26th, 2025
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I was proceeding to my point -- thank you -- I'm getting at is why doesn't the Member -- Minister engage Members as being part of the solution rather than this wall of we know everything and stay out of our way? Thank you.
Question 711-20(1): Northwest Territories Nominee Program Extensions May 26th, 2025
I'm not here to hurt his feelings so I'll drop -- withdraw. Thank you.
Question 711-20(1): Northwest Territories Nominee Program Extensions May 26th, 2025
Another?
Question 711-20(1): Northwest Territories Nominee Program Extensions May 26th, 2025
Mr. Speaker, his point of order was intended to interrupt me. You are the judge, Mr. Speaker, on that process, and there is no defined finite rule on it. There is a framework of conversation around it, and hence it was just to interrupt the flow. He's told me this himself. Thank you.
Question 711-20(1): Northwest Territories Nominee Program Extensions May 26th, 2025
So, Mr. Speaker, just to clarify the record, I'm hearing that Members don't matter. I'm hearing that only one matters are Indigenous governments and the Cabinet. This issue particularly matters to a lot of Northerners, not just in Yellowknife. I got phone calls from Hay River. I know my colleague got phone calls from Inuvik. All these places in the North. It's a northern problem. Mr. Speaker, what is the problem -- what is -- the Minister doesn't like the statement, that's the problem. I wish she'd have that fire in Ottawa, Mr. Speaker.