Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A number of Members have made a number of points and I don't want to repeat what my other colleagues have said with regard to Bill 33. Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me backtrack and give you some facts. When the whole issue of discipline came up with regard to Cabinet Ministers, an issue was raised in the Standing Committee on Finance. We indicated that we needed something to be rectified and I think the government has done that with Bill 28 -- which also amends the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act -- which gives authority to the Premier to discipline the appropriate Ministers.
As you may recall, Mr. Speaker, the Members indicated that we've been running into a lot of problems, especially when the House wasn't sitting. This area was identified by our standing committee, and we were happy that the government responded to our recommendation to rectify this problem we've been having for the last number of years. That was done through Bill 28. Now, while Bill 28 was being reviewed by the Standing Committee on Legislation, for some reason or another, they decided it hadn't gone far enough. They wanted to also give the Premier additional powers to hire, which wasn't the intent of the Standing Committee on Finance. We saw the problem as not being able to discipline between sessions. We ran into a number of problems, and I'm sure I don't have to identify specific instances during the last few years when that happened.
Mr. Speaker, during their review, the Standing Committee on Legislation recommended to the government that this particular item be brought forward. I know the government is adhering to the Standing Committee on Legislation's recommendation to give additional power to the Premier but, nevertheless, I have a problem with this bill, Mr. Speaker. Number one, how are we going to properly consult the general public on this issue? We have a process that we follow when legislation is introduced into this House. And, as you are aware, Mr. Speaker, Members have categorically indicated that we will most likely not sit later than June 14th.
But, I know for a fact that if this bill goes through second reading and is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation, they would have to hold public hearings and, most likely, travel to the five regions of the territories, to get comments from the general public on this issue. Also, there has to be adequate time to advertise in the newspaper and on the radio, et cetera. Possibly on television, also. I'm questioning the time frame that we're dealing with because my understanding, from talking to a number of Members, is that everybody wants to leave by next week, on Thursday. I don't think we're going to have adequate time to deal with this legislation.
Members have indicated in this House, as my colleague from Amittuq said, that we should consult the public and let the public have input into this issue. I agree. If this thing passes, I agree that we should have proper consultation with all constituents. In order to facilitate that, Mr. Speaker, it means we will most likely not adjourn until maybe late July. If Members are willing, then I'm willing too.
Mr. Speaker, another concern I have with this bill is we're tying the hands of the next group coming in, the 13th Assembly. As my colleague from Nahendeh indicated, especially during our last session, we have been passing legislation on this floor that will bind the hands of the people coming into the 13th Assembly. Why don't we let them decide how they want to deal with this issue we're dealing with today?
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Mr. Speaker, some of my colleagues have indicated in the House that they want to do this. I'm having a bit of a difficult time. As I indicated, there is the timing of this. Are we going to have proper consultation? Secondly, I feel that we're tying the hands of the new people coming in to the 13th Assembly.
For those reasons, Mr. Speaker, I can't support the principle of the bill. Thank you.