Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman,
I just have a few comments on the Conflict of Interest report. Mr. Chairman, this is a long and very difficult process for all of us here and everybody in the Northwest Territories, especially the Member from Tu Nedhe and the Member from Hay River. First of all, I just want to make a comment about Anne Crawford. We have hired her by the Legislative Assembly to be the Commissioner for Conflict of Interest and she had a very difficult task before her. Her report is before us and I would like to thank her for the work that she has put into this work.
I just want to also say that in looking at the report, at first I was quite upset because of the recommendations and the findings. As I continued to read it and tried to put myself in the place of the people I represent in my constituency in Nahendeh and as the situation evolved and talking to more of my constituents, there are a lot of different views out there. There are views that this government here, people have lost confidence in this government and as a result, we should do something about it. I just want to mention that specifically in the report there are some common opinions that the Commissioner expressed which is usually, I am told, normally not done in this type of report with her making some leads without any basis for it in her opinion. Having said that when the honourable Member from Tu Nedhe, Don Morin, said that he did not knowingly set out to breach the conflict of interest guidelines and regulations of this government during his tenure as Premier, and at the same time on the 26th he resigned his post as Premier, having participated in this and having participated in this comprehensive public review, his affairs, I believe that Mr. Morin has been punished. I just wanted to say that on the 27th of November, this Conflict of Interest Commissioner clarified her position in the Nunatsiaq News by saying that, while the report in the Nunatsiaq News states that the Conflict if Interest Commissioner did not intend to recommend that Morin vacate his seat. This is from November 27, 1998 and told the Nunatsiaq News that this was not her intention as a result of her finding. This interpretation of her report, however, was incorrect. Commissioner Crawford goes on to explain that she intended that these words from the report meant that her findings showed that Premier Don Morin's violations did not extend to deriving monetary gain through the use of his office and that his seat should not, therefore, be declared vacant. Further on, she says that the removal from office or resignation is now a normal political practice in Canada for Cabinet Ministers found to have committed violations similar to those found Morin to have committed.
However, Commissioner Crawford, according to this news article, informs us that she was not inviting the Legislative Assembly to either remove Morin from the premiership, nor to declare his seat vacant. I am quoting this from the Nunatsiaq News, November 27th. This is the day after Don Morin resigned. In that regard, I feel that by Don Morin resigning as Premier that the recommendations that were outlined in the report for reprimand, being the Premier for eight different counts, and according to my research, reprimanding meaning to rebuke or censure or of that nature reprove the person to criticize for a fault or an offence. By Don Morin removing himself from the Premiership, I think this has adhered to the recommendations in the report.
That is what I have said before and I continue to take that position. However, Mr. Chairman, the public perception influences public confidences in elected officials. The question we have faced in the House here, in the media as well, and throughout the report, are evidence of the public concern over how we have carried out business in this government. The report sends a clear signal to the elected officials and staff on how to follow government business guidelines and regulations with consistency and integrity. I want to assure our residents of the Northwest Territories that the message has been firmly registered with myself and, I believe as well, with my Cabinet colleagues.
What is expected of us here, Mr. Chairman, and how should we proceed? The government has already begun to instruct a review that the conflict report identifies issues that must be dealt with. This may include changes in the legislation, maybe regulations, implementation of a code of conduct, changes to policies, procedures and practices. It certainly has an effect on the government already and the Acting Premier is providing direction in this regard. As well, this report has a big effect on all of us here, ordinary MLAs and the Ministers, alike. I believe there is a rush by all Members of this House to seek legal advice of the Law Clerk and I heard there was a big rush there to see what has to be declared. There is definitely an effect by this report on all of us here.
I just want to comment on the Department of Public Works and Services. Mr. Chairman, I became the Minister on December 5th, and after the decision of the Lahm Ridge Tower was decided upon, so I was tasked with in the session immediately afterwards answering a lot of questions. There is also, in the report, a very scathing kind of criticism based on the people in the Department of Public Works and misleading the Legislative Assembly and misleading the Ministers and so forth.
That is a big concern to me, Mr. Chairman, currently as the Minister of Public Works and Services. I think it is a big concern with the people within the whole Department of Public Works and Services. Having been the Minister since that time, I have had the opportunity to work with all the individuals in the department. I find them very competent and professional people. They do their work and they carry out the projects and I have a lot of confidence in them. However, also looking at the report, we will be reviewing the report, I guess, because it is a concern and I cannot really seeing letting it go by, we have to do something about it. We want to determine what actions are required and I just want to assure the civil servants not to be too concerned about it, I would like to have their support in trying to look at this whole report, because it has a very black mark on the department in this whole report.
A review of the contracting and leasing policies must be looked at, practices to identify areas of improvement must be done by the department as well as a review of delegating contracts and signing authorities to determine, perhaps, changes that are required. This report does have an effect, specifically on this department, already. I am committed to ensuring that the recommendations from the review are implemented throughout the portfolios that I am responsible for.
We have much work to do to improve the way of life for the people in the communities that we represent, Mr. Chairman, and this whole process has been like a dark cloud on all of us. I am quite pleased today that we are finally debating the end of this report. Hopefully we conclude today and put that behind us and carry on and finish the work that we have committed ourselves to do until the end of our term. There is improvement to be made in the social economic health of all residents of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut communities, and we should try to send a strong message to the people that we are going to be doing what is recommended in the report. A strong message has been registered to the government respecting the institution of government all around the takings, this message has been registered and action is being taken and will continue to be taken. Let us carry on with the business of the day, while at the same time, dealing with the very difficult past now of restoring the public confidence in this government institution.
With that, I would like to say Mahsi for allowing me to have these brief comments on this report. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
--Applause