Thank you, Mr. Speaker:

WHEREAS it is required by Rule 95(2) that the terms of reference for all standing committees shall be approved by the Legislative Assembly;

AND WHEREAS the standing committee on public accounts has considered the matters of their own terms of reference;

AND WHEREAS the standing committee is now prepared to present their terms of reference to the Legislative Assembly;

NOW THEREFORE, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for North Slave, that the following terms of reference for the standing committee on public accounts be approved:

The standing committee on public accounts may, on its own authority:

a) inquire into such matters as may be referred to by the Legislative Assembly;

b) review and recommend on the territorial accounts submitted to the Legislative Assembly annually by the Minister of Finance;

c) review and recommend on the Auditor General of Canada's reports to the Legislative Assembly;

d) the Public Accounts of the NWT and the Auditor General's Annual Report and his Report on Any Other Matters will be referred to the standing committee on public accounts after tabling in the Legislative Assembly. Not withstanding this formal process, the Commissioner, the Speaker or the Minister of Finance are authorized to provide these documents to the standing committee in advance of tabling to expedite the review by the committee. For further certainty, this review in advance of tabling may include public hearings and all other authorized activities of the standing committee.

e) investigate and inquire into those matters of a public accounts nature that, in the opinion of the committee, require investigation, and provide advice and recommendations to the Legislative Assembly;

f) shall establish its own quorum to be five Members, including the Chair. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.