Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I, too, was disappointed in the House when the Legislation committee recommended that the creation of the office of an ombudsman should not be brought forth until the government 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, I was disappointed for two reasons: One, is that the public opinion did not seem to be taken into account when this decision was being formulated; and, two, the onus is being left for the government to determine whether or not a need for a more general type of ombudsman is required.

First of all, Mr. Speaker, I believe the role of an ombudsman is to investigate a complaint and to make the public aware of a case, for which there are many people out in the territories who would like to see someone that they can specifically go to. I recognize that an MLA does play this role many times, but at the same time, there are times when we advocate on behalf of our constituents and we do get charged for political interference.

It is known that the Standing Committee on Legislation consistently heard that members of the public would be receptive to the creation of an ombudsman-like office. So, Mr. Speaker, as I said, I don't feel that we were listening to the public, once again.

Secondly, Mr. Speaker, we are going to wait for the government to determine whether or not a need for a more general type of ombudsman is required.

Now, Mr. Speaker, I don't believe that the government is going to anxiously look at determining whether or not an ombudsman is required. It will no doubt take a while and it won't be this government to determine how effective the recently-passed Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act is. So it will probably be the next government and it is unfortunate. But I will say, Mr. Speaker, that we are fortunate that this document is going into committee of the whole, where we can discuss this matter in length. Thank you.