Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Government Operations met on February 19th and 20th to review Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act. Witnesses appearing before the committee included the chairman of the Financial Management Board, the Honourable John Todd; the president of the Union of Northern Workers, Mr. Darm Crook; and the president and executive director of the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association, Mr. Jim Gilbert and Mr. Blake Lyons, respectively.

The witnesses representing the UNW and the NWTTA raised some concerns before the committee regarding some provisions of the bill. This bill will fundamentally alter the negotiating framework between the government and its organized employees. As a result, the committee took the concerns raised by the union representatives very seriously. After hearing those concerns and discussing them with the Minister, amendments to the bill were prepared and will be the subject of motions here in the Assembly today.

The standing committee concluded its meetings by moving to refer the bill back to Committee of the Whole for consideration by all Members of the Legislative Assembly. Thank you.