Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Our report from the standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions on the appointment of members to the Workers' Compensation Board.

Mr. Speaker, at its meeting on March 5, 1992, the standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions discussed the matter of an announcement made on March 3, regarding two new appointments to the Northwest Territories Workers' Compensation Board. The standing committee was also aware that further appointments to the board are under consideration within cabinet.

The standing committee expresses its extreme dissatisfaction that the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board has not followed a previous recommendation to postpone filling membership vacancies in all government created boards and agencies until March 31, 1992.

This recommendation, which was passed by a motion of this House and apparently concurred in by the Executive Council, also indicated 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." It is the standing committee's view that the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board has not established that it is clearly in the public interest to proceed with these board appointments. In fact, given that these positions on the board have been vacant for some time, it is very questionable whether it was necessary at all to make the appointments at the present time.

The standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions is outraged with respect to the inadequate consultation process followed in making these appointments. This government has repeatedly made commitments to consult widely with Members of this Assembly prior to making important board appointments. This clearly did not occur in this instance.

In an earlier report, the standing committee has indicated that a comprehensive review of the Workers' Compensation Board and its operations would be undertaken early in the new fiscal year. The government should be aware that the findings may result in recommendations that could significantly alter the structure and policy framework of the board. It is for this reason that the Minister must consult with the standing committee prior to any consideration of appointing members to the Workers' Compensation Board.

The process through which the March 3rd appointments were made to the Workers' Compensation Board was clearly contrary to the committee motion passed in this House when dealing with Committee Report 1-2(1). Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to move that this report be moved into committee of the whole and be placed as the first item on the order paper.