Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the first annual report of the Languages Commissioner of the Northwest Territories was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on December 14, 1993. The Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions considered this matter in meetings in Yellowknife on April 19, 1994.

The Language Commissioner's report contained 30 recommendations and the standing committee identified a number of issues to address. The standing committee's report, which has already been read in the House, dealt with such issues as: the reporting relationship of the Languages Commissioner; the role and responsibility of the Languages Commissioner; the need for focus on employee complaints and inquiries; the nature of the position of Languages Commissioner; the responsibilities of the government and the Languages Commissioner; and, full simultaneous translation in the Legislative Assembly. I would now like to deal with each of these individually.

The Reporting Relationship Of The Languages Commissioner

Recommendation 1 in the annual report suggests that a new committee be struck to be responsible for official languages issues. Members of the standing committee disagree. The Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions is quite able to take on the task of reviewing the Languages Commissioner's annual report. Therefore, I have a recommendation.