Mr. Chairman, during our survey of Members, the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges was requested to review the order and decorum within the chamber. Two specific matters raised were the reading of newspapers within the chamber, and whether the committee might provide coffee within the chamber during committee of the whole.
The standing committee is of the opinion that no rule amendments are necessary to deal with order and decorum, as each Member may assess its importance on an individual basis. The committee is also unable to agree with the suggestion that coffee be allowed within the committee of the whole.
Official Languages
The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges reviewed the rules in light of the Official Languages Act. The Official Languages Act establishes eight official languages of the Northwest Territories.
The act provides that everyone has the right to use any official language in the debates and other proceedings of the Legislative Assembly. Acts, records and journals of the Assembly must be printed and published in English and French, as well as other specified documents, orders and regulations.
The standing committee discussed whether requirements should be included within the rules for the translation of documents or motion into specific official languages. For example, rule 21(2) requires that Ministers' statements be filed with the Clerk, "complete with translation." The rule does not specify the language or languages into which the document must be translated.
The standing committee was of the opinion that the procedures of the House in this respect should remain flexible. The Speaker has ruled that currently, House documents must be translated into Inuktitut, and the committee is of the opinion that this addresses the issue sufficiently.
Tabled Documents
Currently, the item "tabling of documents" appears on the orders of the day for the Legislative Assembly, but nothing in the rules indicates what the item is, or whether a statement is allowed when a document is tabled. The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges is of the view that a simple rule should be included to indicate that a Member may table a document under the appropriate item, and may make a brief factual statement identifying the document.