Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Program summary, total O and M, $124,970 million. Agreed?

Does the committee agree that the Department of Government Services and Public Works O and M budget is concluded?

Thank you. I would like to thank the Minister and his witnesses for assisting the committee. Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Dent.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to suggest that we move on to Committee Report 16-12(3).

Is the committee agreed that we move on to Committee Report 16-12(3). Agreed?

Thank you. The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges final report. Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges made its report last week and moved our report into committee of the whole for further discussion.

Mr. Chairman, during the first meeting of our Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges of the 12th Assembly, the committee agreed to undertake a comprehensive review of the current rules of the Legislative Assembly. A comprehensive review of the rules had not taken place since the 10th Assembly. The committee Members were of the opinion that this review was necessary to ensure that the current rules allow Members to best perform their Parliamentary duties in a consensus system. Some Members of the 12th Legislative Assembly had also expressed the view that the rules could better reflect the cultural traditions of the people of the Northwest Territories. It was also decided that the review should focus, as well, on eliminating grammatical inconsistencies and terms reflecting gender bias.

The standing committee consulted with all Members of the Legislative Assembly to obtain their views and recommendations as to improvements that could be made to the rules. A questionnaire was sent to all Members in May, 1992, to request Members' opinions. As well, the committee received further referrals for its consideration during the time frame of the review.

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges presented its Interim Report on the Comprehensive Review of the Rules, Committee Report 15-12(2), to the Legislative Assembly on June 26, 1992. The committee reported on the topics that were suggested for its consideration by Members and staff, and solicited further comment. The committee also reported its decision to undertake a re-assessment of the rules to simplify their language and sentence structure.

In its interim report, the standing committee also noted that a referral had been received from Caucus that the committee review and report on the conduct of Members. The standing committee has been examining this issue in depth, and will report on its progress to Caucus.

Since the interim report, the standing committee has also received a referral from Caucus, requesting that the committee develop guidelines for the impending use of television within the Chamber, for review and adoption by the House. Our committee, Mr. Chairman, has made this report and it is in committee of the whole for discussion during this session.

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges has met on numerous occasions since its last report to consider rule changes that might enable the House to perform its duties in a more effective and efficient manner, and that might better reflect the cultural diversity of the people of the Northwest Territories.

Members' Statements

A referral was received from the Ordinary Members' Caucus asking that the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges consider extending the length of Members' statements within the rules from two and one half to three and one half minutes. A survey of all Members also produced several comments on this issue. These included suggestions that the time allowed for each Members' statement should be increased, that the time should not be changed and that the time should be increased for statements in the aboriginal languages.

The time allotted for Members' statements within the rules was increased from two to two and one half minutes on November 2, 1989.

The standing committee requested that an analysis of Members' statements be undertaken to determine how often unanimous consent had been requested in order for Members to conclude their statements.

The standing committee found that from the First to the Second Sessions of the 12th Legislative Assembly (to November 17, 1992), the percentage of statements for which unanimous consent to conclude was sought rose from approximately six per cent to approximately 21 per cent.

The standing committee recognizes the wish of ordinary Members to be accorded an adequate amount of time to communicate their constituents' concerns. However, the committee is also mindful of the decision to televise the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly in the near future. The committee is of the opinion that all Members must participate in efforts to have the business of the Assembly proceed in a timely fashion.

The standing committee notes that there has not been a tendency for Members' statements given in the aboriginal languages to be longer than others. With the requirement that all statements be simultaneously interpreted, the committee was of the opinion that the time allotted to all statements should be equal.

Accordingly, the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges does not recommend an amendment to the rules in relation to the length allowed for Members' statements at this time.

The standing committee would like to add that it might be of assistance to the interpreters if each Member provided a copy of his or her statement, including those given in English, to the interpreters in advance. By preparing statements in writing, Members may also be better able to estimate and adjust the length of their comments. As well, the committee takes this opportunity to remind Members that pursuant to Rule 23(3), Members' statements are to be confined to one matter only.

Further Returns To Oral Questions

The Speaker referred the matter of "further returns to oral questions" to the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges. The practice of some Ministers at times is to give a partial response to a question, with an offer to provide further information. This information has been provided as a "further return."

The Speaker's rulings have made it clear that unless a question is specifically taken as notice by the Minister, it will not be recorded as such. The official House record will indicate that the question has been answered. As well, when a Minister answers a question in this matter rather than taking it as notice, supplementary questions may be allowed on the same subject.

However, the standing committee recognizes that on occasion, a Minister may inadvertently give incorrect or incomplete information to the House in response to an oral question and may wish to provide additional information at a later time. The committee was of the opinion that the current practice of providing a "further return to an oral question" is an appropriate method of dealing with such situations. A "further return," where necessary, should be given under the item "returns to oral questions" on the orders of the day.

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges is of the opinion that an amendment to the rules is not necessary to accommodate this procedure.

Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommends 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.

The motion is in order. To the motion.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges discussed at some length the question of the sitting hours of the Assembly, and the suggestion of leaving one day each week open for committee and constituency business for Members.

Several concerns have been raised in the past regarding the schedule of Members during session. Often meetings are held during each morning and evening around the sitting hours of the Assembly. Although attempts have been made to curtail the number of committee meetings, the schedule and work load of each committee often requires several meetings to be held during session.

The standing committee recognizes as well, however, that many Members are unable to return to their constituencies for lengthy periods of time while the House is sitting and that proceeding with the business of the House in an efficient manner is a priority.

The standing committee was of the opinion that a provisional amendment to the rules, to be in force for a limited term on a trial basis, would be an effective means of addressing the scheduling problems. This would allow further input to be provided by Members on the issue, based on their experience with the amendment. Therefore, on February 17, 1993, a motion for a provisional rule change for the sitting hours was moved by the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges, and was carried by the Assembly.

Until the prorogation of the Third Session, the Speaker shall adjourn the Assembly each Wednesday until the next sitting day upon the completion of oral question period.

The standing committee would welcome the comments of the Members on this provisional amendment.

Mr. Chairman, you may recall last week the provisional rule was rescinded. Our standing committee would like comments pertaining to that particular issue.

Responses To Oral And Written Questions

Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges considered the issue of whether time frames should be instituted for responses by Ministers to written or oral questions. As well, the committee discussed whether returns to written questions should be required to be filed with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during extended adjournments.

The standing committee is of the opinion that there should be no time frame incorporated within the rules for responses to oral questions. Where an issue is uncomplicated and urgent, a Member may wish to raise the issue again rather quickly to request that a Minister address the issue and provide a response.

Where a response is more complex, a Minister may indicate, when questioned, that more time is required to investigate the issue. As the oral question period allows Members to raise issues of immediate concern, the committee is of the view that flexibility should be maintained. Accordingly, the standing committee does not recommend an amendment to the rules in this area.

With respect to written questions, the standing committee is of the opinion that a rule specifying the time frame for a response would assist the efficient functioning of the House.

The standing committee holds the view that a time period of 21 calendar days would allow sufficient time for responses to be provided to most written questions. However, accommodation should be made for complex matters. Where 21 days is not adequate, the committee is of the view that the rules should provide a method for the Minister to indicate to the House in writing that more time is required, and to specify a date upon which the response will be provided.

Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommends that the rules be amended to incorporate a requirements 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.

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. The motion is in order. To the motion.