Speaker removes Robert Hawkins for the day after refusing to apologize for accusing deputy ministers of illegal activity

Cody Punter
Northern News Services
Published Monday, February 24, 2014

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins was suspended from the legislative assembly Friday morning for refusing to apologize for comments which accused deputy ministers of engaging in illegal activity.

Hawkins was called out on a point of order by Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger

Feb. 12, a day after he made allegations that several deputy ministers were illegally reallocating funds which were intended to hire employees to fill vacant government positions.

A week later, Speaker Jackie Jacobson delivered his ruling, saying Hawkins' comments did in fact constitute a point of order. Jacobson said Hawkins had "clearly accused deputy ministers of deliberate criminal behaviour" and requested that Hawkins apologize and withdraw his remarks.

Jacobson said the ability to speak freely in the assembly without fear of being subject to legal proceedings is a cornerstone of healthy parliamentary debate.

However, he added that this privilege comes with a responsibility to not defame those who are not able to defend themselves in the assembly.

"Parliamentary immunity was not intended as a wall to hide behind," said Jacobson.

After being told to withdraw his remarks and apologize, Hawkins stood up to read a prepared statement in an attempt to defend his comments.

"I cannot compromise and I must hold fast to my principles based on my passion and belief. I am..." he said before his microphone was turned off by Jacobson.

"I asked you to apologize to the house. I'm not going to listen to what you have in your hand," said Jacobson as he rebuked Hawkins.

When given another opportunity to apologize, Hawkins continued to read from his statement at which point Jacobson interrupted him once more to warn him that he was disrespecting the authority of the speaker and the legislative assembly.

But Hawkins ignored Jacobson's warning and continued to read from his statement, at which point Jacobson suspended him from the assembly for the duration of the day.

Jacobson also ruled a point of order against Premier Bob McLeod by Hawkins was not valid. Hawkins had said that comments made by the premier when speaking to the point of order had "put words in his mouth" and offended him.

"I am not going to make a ruling about whether or not the premier mischaracterized Mr. Hawkins' comments," Jacobson said.

"Everyday in this house, I hear members on both sides paraphrasing and interrupting each other's remarks during the course of debate. I'm sure that the accuracy of these inappropriations could often be called into question."

Hawkins will be allowed to return to the assembly on Monday.