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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins says the lack of washroom facilities downtown is making things so bad that patrons and residents alike are fleeing the city core so they don't have to witness homeless people doing "natural things in unnatural places."

"Having someone deal with bodily functions behind cars in the downtown parking lots, behind buildings, behind dumpsters and even sometimes in dumpsters is not a symbol of our finer society achieving its better moments in history," said Hawkins in the legislative assembly, Wednesday.

Hawkins asked Health and Social Services Minister Sandy Lee if she would meet with service groups and non-governmental organizations and see if any would be willing to open a facility where homeless people can use the washroom without begging for a key to let them through the door.

Lee said she was willing to work with groups who want to address the issue but concluded that the lack of washroom access downtown was a municipal problem not the territorial government's.

What a flick!

Great Slave MLA Glen Abernethy enjoyed the movie Tu Beta Ts' Ena (Water is Life) so much that he is recommending the territorial government supply it to classrooms everywhere in the territory.

The film, which premiered at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre last week, highlights the ecological sensitivity of the water flowing the Mackenzie River water basin. The film, by the Akaitcho Dene First Nations, was filmed by Emmy nominee Terry Wolfe and directed by Alex Czarnecki.

"The film is $30 a copy, so it shouldn't cost us too much to get enough copies for all of our schools," said Abernethy.

Premier Floyd Roland didn't rule out his request, saying "I'm glad to know that the price of the movie is $30."

Out of order redux

Speaker Paul Delorey tossed out a point of order Thursday after ruling that premier Floyd Roland didn't breach legislative assembly rules by pointing to a letter written by Jane Groenewegen, chair of the standing committee on priorities and planning, during a question by the Hay River South MLA, Oct. 6.

Groenewegen complained the premier broke confidentiality rules after he referred to a letter she wrote as chair of the committee.

She said the letter was a private exchange between the premier and the committee and wasn't meant for public consumption.

Delorey ruled against Groenwegen's point-of-order Thursday, saying while the premier did reference the letter, he did not divulge its contents.

A couple of minutes after making his ruling, Roland made a complaint of his own - arguing that Groenewegen imputed "false or hidden motives" while questioning him Oct. 8 about a $150 million contract for a new school in Inuvik - Roland's hometown.

"It's quite clear that Mrs. Groenewegen is threading the needle," said Roland.

Delorey said he would make a ruling on Roland's point-of-order at a later date, after the legislative assembly resumes today.