Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, November 27, 1995, I will move the following motion:
I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Natilikmiot, that the rules of the Legislative Assembly be amended by:
Rescinding Rule 85 and substituting the following:
85(1) At its first sitting after a general election, the Assembly shall appoint a Striking Committee of four Members to report and recommend with all convenient speed, Members to comprise the following standing committees of the Assembly:
on Infrastructure;
on Resource Management and Development;
on Social Programs;
on Rules and Procedures;
and any other standing and special committees directed by the Assembly.
(2) The Standing Committee on Infrastructure shall consider the following matters with respect to the departments of Finance, Public Works and Services, Municipal and Community Affairs, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, Executive, Personnel Secretariat, and the Financial Management Board Secretariat;
a) Review legislative and policy proposals, multi-year plans and budgets, bills, boards and agencies, public accounts and division issues;
b) Review departmental performance; and,
c) Consider any other matter referred by the House.
(3) The Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development shall consider the following matters with respect to the departments of Economic Development and Tourism, Renewable Resources, Transportation, Safety and Public Services, and Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources:
a) Review legislative and policy proposals, multi- year plans and budgets, bills, boards and agencies, public accounts and division issues;
b) Review departmental performance; and,
c) Consider any other matter referred by the House.
(4) The Standing Committee on Social Programs shall consider the following matters with respect to the departments of Health and Social Services, Education, Culture and Employment, Justice and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation:
a) Review legislative and policy proposals, multi-year plans and budgets, bills, boards and agencies, public accounts and division issues;
b) Review departmental performance; and,
c) Consider any other matter referred by the House.
(5) The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures shall inquire into such matters as may be referred to it by the Legislative Assembly, the Speaker or the Management and Services Board.
And further, that Rule 85.1 be adopted as follows:
85.1(1) The chairperson and deputy chairperson of each of the standing committees on Infrastructure, Resource Management and Development, and Social Programs shall comprise the membership of the Standing Committee on Government Operations.
(2) The Standing Committee on Government Operations shall:
a) Review issues which have government-wide implications;
b) Consider items and issues referred from other committees and the House;
c) Conduct the overview of the budget and the fiscal framework;
d) Consider the budgets and financial management of boards and agencies that are outside the responsibility of any standing committee, including the office of the Legislative Assembly;
e) Examine the reports on the annual financial statements and public accounts of the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Report of the Auditor General;
f) Review the estimates and the financial status of the Government of the Northwest Territories to monitor compliance with the Deficit Elimination Act;
g) Allocate to any other standing committee its examination of any estimates and any review of departmental performance;
h) Recommend the appointment of the "Statutory Officers" of the Legislative Assembly; and,
i) Examine and consider the overall issues that affect the operation of the Government of the Northwest Territories relating to division and the creation of two territories.
(3) The Striking Committee appointed under 85(1) shall, prior to the selection of the chairpersons and deputy chairpersons referred to in 85.1(1), recommend the appointment of a Member as chairperson of the Standing Committee on Government Operations.
(4) The chairperson of the Standing Committee on Government Operations is not eligible to serve as the chairperson or deputy chairperson of the standing committees on Infrastructure, Resource Management and Development, and Social Programs.
(5) Notwithstanding Rule 90(3), the quorum for the Standing Committee on Government Operations shall be four Members and must include the chairperson and at least one representative, either the chairperson or deputy chairperson, of each of the standing committees on Infrastructure, Resource Management and Development, and Social Programs.
(6) The Standing Committee on Government Operations shall also have three alternates, one from each of the standing committees on Infrastructure, Resource Management and Development, and Social Programs. Alternates may be called upon by the chair to take the place of an absent committee Member. When participating in committee business, the alternate shall be entitled to vote on any matter.
And furthermore, that Rule 87(1) be amended by:
Striking out "85" following "pursuant to Rule" and substituting "85(1)."
And furthermore, that Rule 90(3) be rescinded and the following substituted:
90(3) The quorum of a committee shall be four Members.
And furthermore, that Rule 94(2) be rescinded and Rule 94(3) be renumbered as 94(2).
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with my motion today. Thank you.