I would like to make the report on interim measures for the management of board appointments. This report is from the standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions of which I am the chairman. The standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions met on Friday, December 6, 1991. The committee discussed the establishment of a comprehensive work plan for the review of selected boards and agencies, and a further report on this matter may be forthcoming later in the session.

Members of the standing committee, however, took special note that sections of the "Strength at Two Levels" document outlined prospective courses of action for the reorganization, downsizing and elimination of certain government-created boards and agencies. While both general and specific recommendations contained in the report may have some merit, the standing committee wishes to ensure that the government does not proceed with decisions in this area without the benefit of committee review and discussion of all relevant options. To this end, the standing committee has requested advance notification from the Government Leader of any plans to modify existing boards, agencies or commissions.

Further, the standing committee wishes to ensure that appointments of board members not proceed in a fashion that might later limit the capacity of the Legislative Assembly and the cabinet to make structural changes necessary to improve our system of boards and agencies.

For that reason, the standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions recommends that the Government of the NWT postpone filling membership vacancies in all government-created boards and agencies until after March 31, 1992; and further, that where it is clearly in the public interest to appoint or reappoint members of boards and agencies, that these appointments be made for the shortest possible term.

Motion To Move Committee Report 1-12(1), Report Of The Standing Committee On Agencies, Boards And Commissions, To Committee Of The Whole, Carried

Mr. Speaker, that concludes this report by the standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions. I move, seconded by Mr. Lewis, the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that the report of the standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions on interim measures for the management of board appointments, be received by the Assembly and referred to the committee of the whole.