Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to present the final report of the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges on the Comprehensive Review of the Rules.

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges has completed its comprehensive review of the rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories.

The standing committee consulted with all Members of the Legislative Assembly by questionnaire, to obtain their view and recommendations for changes to the rules, and also received referrals on further specific issues during the time frame of the review. The committee presented its interim report on the comprehensive review on June 26, 1992.

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges met on several occasions to consider suggestions received for amendments to the rules.

Following a referral from the Ordinary Members' Caucus, the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges discussed whether amendments should be made to the time allotted for Members' Statements. While the standing committee recognizes the wish of ordinary Members to have sufficient time for their statements, the committee is also mindful of the need to have the business of the House proceed on an efficient and timely manner. Therefore, the committee does not recommend that the time allotted for Members' Statements be increased at this time.

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges discussed the matter of "further returns to oral questions," referred by the Speaker. Again, the standing committee does not recommend an amendment to the rules on this issue. The Speaker's rulings have made it clear that oral questions which have not been specifically taken as notice will be recorded as having been answered. When a Minister considers it necessary to provide additional information to a question that has been answered, the current practice of providing the "further return" under the item "returns to oral questions" is appropriate.

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges recommends an amendment to the rules with respect to a referral received from the Government House Leader. The committee is of the opinion that a rule should be added specifying that reports of standing and special committees moved into committee of the whole not be considered until two sitting days have passed from the presentation of the report. This would allow Members who are not Members of a committee presenting a report, and Ministers, adequate time to review committee reports in order to contribute effectively to the debate in committee of the whole.

On February 17, 1993, a motion was carried by the Assembly adopting a provisional rule change to the sitting hours of the House, until prorogation of the Third Session. The Speaker has been adjourning the Assembly each Wednesday upon the completion of oral question period, so that Members may have more time available for committee and constituency work. The standing committee would welcome the comments of all Members on their experience with this revised scheduled. Mr. Speaker, Members will recall yesterday we rescinded the provisional rule which we implemented earlier on in this session.

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges considered several issues relating to oral and written questions. The committee discussed whether time frames should be instituted within the rules for returns to oral and written questions. The standing committee is of the opinion that flexibility should be maintained with respect to oral questions, as this allows Members to raise concerns of immediate concern. However, the committee holds the view that a rule specifying the time frame for returns to written questions would assist the efficient functioning of the House. The committee is of the view that a rule should be instituted requiring returns to written question to be provided within 21 calendar days, unless the Minister indicates to the House in writing that more time is required.

The standing committee is of the opinion that no amendments to the rules are necessary with respect to the length of oral question period, or relating to preambles for oral questions.

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges discussed the procedure by which the Commissioner assents to bills. The standing committee holds the view that the current practice, by which the Commissioner grants assent within the chamber in public view, is the preferable method. However, the committee is of the opinion that assents may appropriately be granted elsewhere when circumstances require. The Clerk may then report to the Assembly that assent has been granted.

It was suggested to the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges that the rules might be amended to incorporate the procedure for the election of the Speaker and the Executive Council by the Territorial Leadership Committee, established in 1991. However, as these procedures are still evolving, the standing committee is of the view that it would be premature to bind the Assembly to this process at present.

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedure sand Privileges recommends that the rules be amended to provide a procedure by which the orders of the day may be set aside for emergency debate on a matter of urgent public importance. The question of whether a matter would properly be the subject of emergency debate would be subject to the ruling of the Speaker.

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges considered matters relating to order and decorum within the chamber which were brought to its attention by Members. However, the standing committee is of the view that no amendments in this area are necessary at this time.

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges reviewed the rules in light of the Official Languages Act, which establishes eight official languages for the Northwest Territories. However, the standing committee is of the opinion that the procedures of the House in this respect should remain flexible.

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges is of the opinion that a rule should be added to reflect the current procedures for the tabling of documents.

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges discussed the rules relating to private bills. These rules allow members of the public to introduce bills before the House, rather than having the bill introduced by an ordinary Member or by the Cabinet. As this procedure is not used, and as any bill requires the support of Members in order to be passed, the standing committee is of the view that these rules should be deleted.

It was brought to the attention of the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges, that the current rule allowing petitions to be presented to the House is not clear as to whether petitions may be presented only by Members of the Legislative Assembly or by members of the public. The rule has been interpreted to date so that petitions may be presented only through a Member of the Assembly. However, the standing committee is of the opinion that it would be consistent with the principle of open government to allow members of the public to present petitions to the House, by filing them with the Clerk. The rules would continue to allow Members of the Assembly to present petitions in the current manner.

The standing committee discussed whether amendments were required to improve the security of the Assembly chamber. However, the standing committee is of the view that no amendments are necessary in this area.

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges discussed at length the views that Members provided with respect to the cultural relevance of the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly. The standing committee holds the view that amendments to the rules may be appropriate to better reflect the cultural diversity of the people of the Northwest Territories. It has been proposed that the rules requiring Members to bow to the mace be removed, and that other symbols be incorporated which better reflect aboriginal traditions, such as the symbol of the fire and the drum. However, the standing committee recognizes that further discussion is required among all Members before changes are incorporated within the rules. The standing committee would welcome the suggestions of Members on these matters.

During its comprehensive review, the standing committee included a focus on eliminating grammatical inconsistencies and gender bias within the rules, and on simplifying the language of the rules.

The standing committee came to the conclusion that these objectives could best be accomplished through a redrafting of the rules, to be presented to the Assembly in the form of a new rule book. The new rule book would also incorporate the amendments within the final report of the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges that receive the approval of this Assembly.

The following recommendations are included in the final report of the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges:

Recommendation No. 1

That the rules be amended to specify that reports of standing and special committees shall not be taken into consideration until two sitting days have passed from the presentation of the report.

Recommendation No. 2

That the rules be amended to incorporate a requirement that returns to written questions be provided within 21 calendar days, unless the Minister indicates to the House in writing that

more time is required, specifies the reason for the delay and indicates the date upon which the information will be provided.

Recommendation No. 3

That the procedure for assenting to bills in the Legislative Assembly chamber continue as the usual practice of the Assembly, but that assents be given elsewhere when circumstances dictate, and be then reported to the House.

Recommendation No. 4

That the rules be amended to include a procedure for emergency debate on matters of urgent public importance, upon one hour's notice being provided to the Speaker; and further, that the Speaker shall rule on the question of whether debate shall be allowed.

Recommendation No. 5

That the rules be amended to include a rule allowing the tabling of documents and allowing a brief statement to be given which identifies the document.

Recommendation No. 6

That the rules establishing a procedure for the introduction of private bills by members of the public be deleted.

Recommendation No. 7

That the rules be amended to allow members of the public to present petitions to the Legislative Assembly by filing them with the clerk, provided that such petitions contain a minimum of 25 signatures and address a public matter.

Recommendation No. 8

That a new rule book be drafted and presented to the Assembly for approval prior to the conclusion of the third session; and further, that the rule book incorporate the amendments approved by the Assembly from this report; and further, that the rule book incorporate revisions to correct grammatical inconsistencies and gender bias within the rules; and further, that the rule book incorporate revisions to simplify the rules.

Motion To Move Committee Report 16-12(3) To Committee Of The Whole

Mr. Speaker, that concludes the report of the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges. Therefore, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that the final report of the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges on the comprehensive review of the rules be received by the Assembly and moved into committee of the whole for consideration. Mahsi.