Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are presently a number of legislative proposals before this Assembly which seek to make this government more accountable, open and responsible to the public we serve. The amendments proposed to the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act would allow for the appointments of a single Conflict of Interest Commissioner rather than the present panel of up to nine.

An important element of this proposed change is that of reducing the cost of investigations under the act, while providing experience and impartial handling of such reviews. The role of an Information and Privacy Commissioner, as proposed in the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act would ensure that the decisions not to provide requested information made of public bodies can be impartially reviewed.

Another proposal being examined would create the office of the Northwest Territories ombudsman. An ombudsman would investigate allegations brought against this government of bias, improper influence, abuse of power or merely incompetence, neglect, idleness or other causes amounting to maladministration.

The role of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner, Information and Privacy Commissioner and ombudsman each strive to raise the level of service provided by this government. Each of the three offices function independently of government, thereby ensuring impartial and unbiased review. The powers of investigation and the ability to conduct quasi-judicial functions are also shared by each office. Because of the many similarities of these three offices, the creation of a comprehensive ombudsman's office would fulfil each of these roles while reducing the cost of delivering these programs to a level which will not only justify but also encourage the creation of an ombudsman's office.

Mr. Speaker, the residents of the Northwest Territories are no different than the residents of other jurisdictions in Canada when it comes to their need for governments to address the grievances of its citizens. For the public, the ombudsman is a welcome device for ensuring that justice is done and the bureaucracies treat their clients fairly, promptly and respectfully. For bureaucracies, it is an additional failsafe check on their operations to ensure that any mistakes that have been...