I would like to call the committee back to order. Before we return to the main estimates I have a chairman's ruling here from events that took place last Friday. On Friday, February 14, 1997, the Honourable Premier Mr. Morin raised a point of privilege in committee of the whole in response to comments made by the Member for Kivallivik, Mr. O'Brien. The Premier's comments on the point of privilege led to Mr. O'Brien raising his own point of privilege. I indicated to the committee that I would take some time to review Hansard prior to providing my ruling. I have now had an opportunity to review Hansard and I am in the position to provide my ruling.
To put matters in context, the Member for Kivallivik, Mr. O'Brien, indicated on page 1101 of unedited Hansard, and I quote, "I wish that the Minister could be as strong in honouring the commitments that he has made in the east as he does in the west". The Premier, Mr. Morin, rose on a point of privilege stating:
"I would like to have the Member for Kivallivik withdraw his comments. Mr. Chairman, he accused the Minister of the government of favouring the western side of the territories over the east in his previous comment, which I have heard that the Minister should honour his commitments in the east like he does in the west and I take exception to that comment. We as a government are elected to represent all the Northwest Territories and we do not base our decisions east and west. I would request that the Member withdraw his comments if he has any right to have the name honourable in front of his name or not, he should do that".
In response, Mr. O'Brien sought an apology from the Premier for his comments that he should not have the word "honourable" in front of his name. Later in debate, the Premier did withdraw the remarks he made and earlier today the Premier offered an apology for his comments, which this House has accepted. On Friday, Mr. Morin, the Member for Tu Nedhe, went on to clarify his point of privilege and stated that he was actually raising on a point of order and was relying on Rule 23(h) which provides that a Member will be called to order if the Member makes allegations against another Member, a House Officer or witness, and Rule 23(j) which provides that a Member will be called to order if the Member imputes false or hidden motives to another Member.
For the record, I note that Mr. Morin's point of privilege is really a point of order and that he is arguing that our rules have been violated. From a close examination of Mr. O'Brien's statement on Friday, I am unable to conclude that the Member was making an allegation against another Member or imputing hidden motives. Mr. O'Brien is asking the Minister to honour commitments in the east as well as he honours his commitments in the west. The statement may be suggesting that the government favours one geographic region over another. However, I am unable to say that it falls within the category of making allegations against another Member or imputing false or hidden motives to another Member. The comments made by the Member for Kivallivik fall within the realm of appropriate political debate. Therefore, I find that the Honourable Mr. Morin does not have a point of order. I thank the Members for your patience. I will ask the committee now, do you wish to proceed with the main estimates?