Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I do not want to take an undue amount of time. Just let me say simply, Mr. Chairman, I believe that once the committee is established which I think is going to happen, that the committee should review its terms of reference. I happen to think they can be improved and enlarged. In speaking to the motion, I hear Members saying that MLAs will play a primary role in the public consultations. I think this is a good idea. I think we all should be holding meetings in our ridings to
discuss these issues and to give guidance to the committee. Also, hearings and community visits will not be emphasized as they have been emphasized by previous committees which have spent considerable amounts of money.
With respect to the Member, that idea is not reflected in the motion before us; the idea of relying on MLAs and de-emphasizing public hearings. In fact, it is wording like you have with any other committee of the Assembly. The new committee may want to fine tune its terms once it has met and in its first report to the House.
Also, and I have made this point already, I think the motion unduly emphasizes the government, its organization, its policies and philosophies as a way of dealing with social and health issues. I believe the people have an even more important role to play in dealing with those fundamental issues. I would like to suggest that the issue of the root causes and the origins of problems inside our family units and our communities should be emphasized more in the committees terms of reference and perhaps they could be added to and enhanced once the committee has had time to consider this advice.
I will support the motion but I would like to go on record as saying I think the terms of reference can be enhanced and improved upon and after consulting my constituents, I may well have some free, gratuitous advice, to offer to the Members of the new committee. I will say that I think this issue is fundamental to all of us, whether we happen to be on cabinet or not. These issues affect every MLA and every constituency and that is why I have not hesitated to participate in this debate this afternoon.