Mr. Speaker, I certainly respect the honourable Member's experience in that field. If she is recommending that such legislation and such protection is advisable, then I will take that advice very seriously and yes, I will certainly consider such legislation once I have had an opportunity to examine the legal circumstances and advice on that issue. Thank you.

Members will join with me in welcoming Mr. James Eetoolook, the acting president of TFN.

--- Applause

Oral questions.

Item 6, written questions.

Item 7, returns to written questions.

Item 8, replies to Opening Address.

Item 9, petitions. Item 10, reports of standing and special committees. Mr. Koe.

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.

The motion is in order, Mr. Koe. Who is seconding the motion, Mr. Koe?

Mr. Speaker, I would like to rephrase that motion. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for North Slave, that the report of the special committee on agencies, boards and commissions on the appointment of members to the Workers' Compensation Board, be received and moved into committee of the whole as the first item of business for consideration for today. Mahsi.

The motion is in order, Mr. Koe. All those in favour of the motion? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

--- Carried

Committee Report 5-12(2), report on the appointment of members to the Workers' Compensation Board will be put into committee of the whole as first item of business, Reports of standing and special committees.

Before I go on to the next item, I wish to inform the House that I have received the following message from the Deputy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. "I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories the passage of Bill 22, Write-off of Assets and Debts Act, 1992, during the second session of the 12th Legislative Assembly. Signed by Helen Maksagak, Deputy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories."

Item 11, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 12, tabling of documents. Mr. Ningark.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to table Tabled Document 18-12(2), a document on fish sampling methodology for monitoring programs in the Northwest Territories and Alberta.

Tabling of documents.

Item 13, notices of motions. Notices of motions. Item 14, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Mr. Patterson. favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, March 9, 1992, I shall move that Bill 19, An Act to Amend the Real Estate Agents' Licensing Act, be read for the first time, Thank you.

Notices of motions for first reading of bills. Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, March 9, 1992, I shall move that Bill 22, Write-off of Assets and Debts Act, 1992, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Notices of motions for first reading of bills. Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr .Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, March 9, 1992, I shall move that Bill 23, Loan Authorization Act, 1992-93, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Notices of motions for first reading of bills. Item 15, motions. Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to move the following motion:

WHEREAS the special committee on health and social services was established by Motion 40-12(1) of this Assembly;AND WHEREAS Rule 89(2) requires that any special committee established shall consist of no more than five Members;

AND WHEREAS it is desirable to name six Members to the special committee on health and social services;

NOW THEREFORE, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Keewatin Central, that not withstanding Rule 89(2), that the special committee on health and social services consist of six Members;

AND FURTHER, that Mr. Bernhardt, Mr. Dent, Mr. Koe, Mrs. Marie-Jewell, Mr. Nerysoo and Mr. Pudluk be appointed as Members to the special committee on health and social services.

Thank you.

Your motion is in order, Mr. Lewis. To the motion

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. --- Carried.

Item 16, first reading of bills. Item 17, second reading of bills. Mr. Whitford.

Your motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

--- Carried

Bill 18 has had second reading and accordingly the bill stands referred to a committee. Second reading of bills. Mr. Whitford.

Mr. Whitford, your motion is in order. To the principle of the bill. To the principle of the bill.