Thank you, Mr. Chairman. A concern that I have that I would like noted for the record is that I, too, was disappointed with the committee's report, mainly because of the fact that it was my understanding that the public have asked many times for an ombudsman. I know that, particularly in my constituency, they find that there should be a need to identify or to address an ombudsman's office here in the Northwest Territories. I recognize that we're just a small jurisdiction, but we have a fairly large bureaucracy and it's sometimes difficult for people to be able to bring issues forward and they may not want to use the political route to address these issues.

I want to state that it's my understanding that during the public hearings the committee continually heard that members of the public would like the creation of an ombudsman-like office. It was unfortunate that the committee indicated that the government should not create this office until they can determine how effective the recently passed Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act has been.

I guess, with that, it's going to determine the time frame and it may be in the next Legislative Assembly that they may consider looking at an ombudsman. Then it's going to be the issue of cost. I recognize that we're going to be looking at probably in excess of $225,000 to continue to operate. However, knowing the next Assembly is going to be in very tight financial restraints, it's going to be more difficult then to justify the creation of such a needed office.

I think it's important and incumbent upon the Assembly to try to find a method to be able to give the responsibility to investigate complaints about government administration or about government overall for individuals who may not want to use the political route. I think, with all due respect to the government, they should consider looking at setting something up in order to address this to look at areas of impartiality which will probably avoid such things as the need for different types of reviews that are continually going on. It can possibly be rerouted and avoided.

It's a comment that I want to state, that this committee recommended this prior to myself becoming a Member on this committee. I don't agree with the committee report and I just felt that it should be noted for the public.