Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since being elected in mid-October of 1995, Members of the Legislative Assembly have developed a more effective way of conducting business. This new process started with revising the standing committee system, allowing the Members of the committees to review department business plans and budgets.
The Standing Committee on Social Programs was charged with the following mandate for the Departments of Education, Culture and Employment, Justice, Health and Social Services and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation:
-to review legislative and policy proposals, multi-year plans and budgets, bills, boards and agencies, public accounts and division issues;
-to review departmental performance, and
-to consider any other matter referred by the House.
A true consensus government system demands that all partners are involved in the decision-making process. As a result, a recurring theme of committee involvement is evident throughout this report.
Members of the Standing Committee on Social Programs are encouraged by the level of cooperation shown by the government and are optimistic that this working relationship will continue to evolve. The committee appreciates the assistance of the Ministers and departments within the Social Programs envelope during the review of the 1998-99 main estimates, and recognizes that the review process requires considerable effort by departmental staff. Thanks are extended to all those involved.
The committee will have specific comments in relation to the main estimates for each department in committee of the whole. Mr. Speaker, this concludes the introductory comments of the Standing Committee on Social Programs on our review of the 1998-99 main estimates.
Therefore, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that the report of the Standing Committee on Social Programs on the review of the 1998-99 main estimates be received by the Assembly and moved into committee of the whole. Thank you.