I move that the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions recommends that the Languages Commissioner annually define a set of goals and objectives to guide the activities of the office. These goals and objectives should be stated in the office's annual budget, and reviewed in the Languages Commissioner's annual reports. Mahsi.
Committee Motion 65-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 2, Carried
In the Legislative Assembly on November 4th, 1994. See this topic in context.
Committee Motion 65-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 2, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 760
Fred Koe Inuvik
Committee Motion 65-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 2, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 760
The Chair Brian Lewis
Thank you, Mr. Koe. Your motion is in order. To this motion. Mr. Nerysoo.
Point Of Order
Committee Motion 65-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 2, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
Just on a point of order, Mr. Chairman, did I hear the honourable Member read that the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions recommends? I would suggest, Mr. Speaker, that it should be this committee because it is the committee of the whole that is now approving the recommendation.
Committee Motion 65-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 2, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
November 3rd, 1994
Page 760
The Chair Brian Lewis
We are referring to this committee, Mr. Koe. Do you concur? It is in the record. To the motion.
Committee Motion 65-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 2, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 760
An Hon. Member
Question.
Committee Motion 65-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 2, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 760
The Chair Brian Lewis
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried by this committee.
---Carried
Employee Complaints And Inquiries
Committee Motion 65-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 2, Carried
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Fred Koe Inuvik
I would now like to move on to the third component of the report on employee complaints and inquiries. Members feel that such complaints should generally be dealt with through accepted grievance procedures, whether through the Union of Northern Workers or otherwise, as appropriate. If the issue isn't dealt with satisfactorily, the Languages Commissioner may then wish to get involved.
As well, standing committee Members were confused by the frequent use of the word "complaint" by the Languages Commissioner when referring to any contact with the office. We would prefer that the Languages Commissioner be more discriminating when referring to files, perhaps classifying them as "complaints," "inquiries" and so on.
The Nature Of The Position Of The Languages Commissioner
From the beginning, there have been difficulties with the nature of the Languages Commissioner's position. There has been confusion over administrative issues, such as whether the Languages Commissioner is eligible for merit pay increases such as a deputy minister is. Standing committee Members agreed that this area needed clarification.
The standing committee feels that present wage and benefits package is adequate and should remain fixed for the remainder of the term of the incumbent. The standing committee Members also felt that a contractual arrangement would be more appropriate for future incumbents. It was felt that changing the rules in the middle of the incumbent's term would be unfair; therefore, such a change should take effect in 1996 at the end of the present Languages Commissioner's term.