Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The reason for the change to the act is so that the president of the corporation is appointed by the Minister. This means that the president is appointed by the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation under Section 6.1, and the reason that it is changed is because it is deleting a reference to the board. They are just changing from "board" to "Minister" at this point. When we come back in February we will take the next steps to change it into a department, and that is where we are hoping to change so that it is treated like a department, where the deputy minister is appointed by the Minister of Personnel and the Government Leader.

Thank you. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Chairman, on my earlier comments I had asked the Law Clerk for her comments and I have not received them yet. Thank you.

Legal advisor.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I am not sure that this is a legal issue. There are two processes whereby people can be appointed to the Public Service. There is the process that is set forth in the Public Service Act and then there is the suggested much more direct appointment proposed in this bill before Members. As to which process is preferable or better, that is not a legal issue. Both have equal legal validity and both, in my submission, are equally discretionary. I cannot see any benefit to an appointment under the Public Service Act; it is a discretionary appointment, as contrasted with one under this proposed bill.

Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to ask the Minister if we can get a commitment for the next session to come in with an amendment to the bill which would allow consistency with the appointments of deputy minister equivalencies, therefore an amendment to this bill which would allow consistency with the appointments of deputy minister equivalencies. Therefore, an amendment to this bill would come in with the appointment being under the accordance of the Public Service Act, therefore made by the Government Leader. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

Yes, that is the intent.

Bill as a whole? Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you. Does this committee agree that Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Act, is ready for third reading? Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

What is the committee's wish now? There are only six clauses in this bill. We just dealt with clause six a few minutes ago. Mr. Koe.

I move that we report progress.

There is a motion on the floor which is not debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

I will rise and report progress.

Item 19, Report of the Committee of the Whole, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, the committee has been considering Bill 3, and we wish to report that Bill 3 is ready for third reading. I move that the report of Chairman of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you.

Is there a seconder to the motion? Mr. Dent. The motion is in order. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Item 20, Third Reading of Bills. Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek consent to proceed with the third reading of Bill 15.

The Honourable Member is seeking consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Allooloo.

The motion is in order. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 15 has had third reading. Item 20, Third Reading of Bills. Mr. Morin.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek consent to give third reading to Bill 3 today.