Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was looking forward to the report of the Standing Committee on Legislation on the office of the ombudsman. Having heard from many of the public that they feel such an office is very important and should be established; and having attended some of the Standing Committee on Legislation hearings in December where I heard presentations in favour of such an office, I expected the report would provide guidance to the government on how to proceed with establishing the office of ombudsman.

Mr. Speaker, I was very surprised and disappointed to hear in the report yesterday that the committee feels it best not to proceed right away. I know the committee gave this idea careful consideration and I understand the rationale for their decision, but, Mr. Speaker, I think the office of the ombudsman is important enough that we should proceed with establishing it concurrently with the office of Access and Privacy Commissioner.

Along with the usual duties of an ombudsman, Mr. Speaker, I would like to see the ombudsman for the NWT being given a role as children's advocate. Too often our kids are slipping through the cracks in the system and they have no one to watch out for their interests.

During the Standing Committee on Legislation hearings, I had asked the Minister of Justice if the department had examined the situation in BC where the ombudsman was charged with the role of acting as a child advocate. This is not the perfect solution, Mr. Speaker. The role of an ombudsman and child advocate is different, but in BC they found that assigning limited advocacy for children to the office of ombudsman was an effective way to start the office. They have since established a separate office called the Child, Youth and Family Advocate.

Mr. Speaker, I note the committee report does not recommend the office of the ombudsman not be established, only that it follow the establishment of the office of Access and Privacy Commissioner.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude by statement.