Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to move the following motion, concerning adopting Members' conduct guidelines.
WHEREAS, the caucus of the 12th Legislative Assembly requested the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges to review the topic of the conduct of Members;
AND WHEREAS, the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges reported in its review to the Legislative Assembly on various occasions;
AND WHEREAS, Members of the Legislative Assembly are already subject to several detailed sets of enforceable rules, such as conflict of interest provision of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, the Elections Act and the Federal Criminal Code;
AND WHEREAS, these acts set out clear standards of behaviour, which may be enforced by specific sanctions, thus reflecting the minimum levels of behaviour which is expected from Members;
AND WHEREAS, conduct guidelines are used to express statements of guiding principles shared by a group which more often reflect a level of moral commitment of shared values, principles and aspirations;
AND WHEREAS, the Members of the 12th Legislative Assembly are committed to providing principles that would guide Members' conduct;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that this Legislative Assembly formally adopts the "Members' Conduct Guidelines" as appendixed and which forms part of this resolution.
Members' Conduct Guidelines
As a Member elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, I acknowledge that I have accepted a responsibility to serve the people of the Northwest Territories. I seek wisdom, strength, courage, honesty and caring from the people of the north, both from those who have built our past, and from those who are shaping our future.
As a legislator, elected to govern the Northwest Territories, I will serve to do my utmost:
- to hear the voices of all our people,
- to preserve our traditions and bridge them with new ways to build our future, to provide legislation, policies and services for the good of the people, as individuals, families and communities,
- to promote the equality of all our people,
- to distribute resources fairly and justly, and
- to respect and honour our land and all its inhabitants.
As a legislator, I will do my best to fulfil my duties to the Legislature, the public, my constituents and my colleagues with integrity and honour.
- To my constituents, I owe my best efforts at effective representation, as well as accountability, honesty, fairness and courtesy.
- To the Legislature, I owe respect, as well as dedication to my role in ensuring the integrity of our government and in earning, through my actions, the confidence of the people.
- To the public, I owe a responsibility to work for the well-being of all residents of the Northwest Territories.
- To my colleagues, I owe fairness and respect for our differences, and the duty to work together with goodwill for the common good.
I acknowledge human vulnerabilities, and will strive to bring honour to my role as a representative of our people.
I will not act, nor condone others in acting, in ways which exploit, slander, or discriminate against others. I will not act, nor condone others in acting, in ways which are dishonest, or which exploit positions of privilege for personal gain.
As a legislator, I acknowledge a vision and a responsibility to improve the life of our people, and I will strive to act in creative ways to overcome the hardships which destroy life and hope, and the human frailties which fall upon us.
So long as I am a Member of the Legislative Assembly, I will be true to these obligations, and will work to preserve the greatness of our land and our people.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.