Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee on Legislation has completed its review of Bill 28, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act. The committee held its public hearings on April 24, 1995. The standing committee did receive one presentation from Mr. Henry Zoe, representing the Standing Committee on Finance. Bill 28 would amend the current act to allow the Commissioner to revoke the appointment of a Member of the Executive Council upon the advise of the Premier.

In principle, the committee fully supports this measure. The committee feels that it provides a level of Cabinet accountability and allows for disciplinary measures to be taken when the House is not sitting; however, it is the opinion of the Standing Committee on Legislation that Bill 28 does not go far enough in addressing true Cabinet accountability. The standing committee strongly feels that if the Premier is granted the authority to revoke appointments of Cabinet, then he or she should also be provided with the authority to appoint the Members to those Cabinet positions. Therefore, the Standing Committee on Legislation recommends a motion: that the government begin immediately to draft a further amendment to the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act that would enable the Commissioner, upon recommendation of the Premier, to appoint Members of the Assembly to the Executive Council.

On April 24, 1995, the standing committee passed a motion that Bill 28, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, was ready for consideration in committee of the whole, which we are doing today. So we have a motion, Mr. Chairman.