Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee on Legislation has completed its review of Tabled Document 3-12(6) entitled, "Legislative Action Paper on the Office of the Ombudsman."
The standing committee held public hearings in Yellowknife during the week of December 12, 1994. The standing committee extends its appreciation to the organizations and individuals who made presentations to the committee. The comments and suggestions were thoughtful and have been carefully studied by the committee during its deliberations.
In its review of the legislative action paper, the standing committee carefully considered the history, principles, and finances involved in creating the office of an ombudsman. Further, the committee questioned the desirability of an ombudsman office in the Northwest Territories and whether the office is the most appropriate structure to meet the requirements of northern people.
The main review of Tabled Document 3-12(6) brought forth five main areas of consideration. These are:
a) The role of the ombudsman;
b) The ombudsman's jurisdiction;
c) The influence of an ombudsman;
d) Community access to the ombudsman office; and,
e) Financial implications.
Each of these areas were discussed in detail in our report.
During the public review of this legislative action paper, the standing committee consistently heard that the public is receptive to the creation of an ombudsman-like office and that the government's proposal to amalgamate the office of the ombudsman and the Access and Privacy Commissioner would be the most economical and desirable route to take. It is the opinion of the standing committee on legislation that the office of an ombudsman not be established at this time. The committee feels that the government should wait until it can determine how effective the recently passed Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act is and whether a need for a more general type of ombudsman is required. Mr. Speaker, that concludes the report of the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Motion To Receive Committee Report 2-12(7) And Move To Committee Of The Whole, Carried
Therefore, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Natilikmiot, that the report of the Standing Committee on Legislation of its review of the Legislative Action Paper on the Office of the Ombudsman for the Northwest Territories be received by the Assembly and moved into committee of the whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.