I would like to call the committee back to order. Members of the committee of the whole are dealing with Tabled Document 37-13(6). The committee has concluded their general comments and I recognize Mr. Krutko.
Debates of Dec. 7th, 1998
This is page numbers 545 - 585 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 6th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was report.
Topics
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to make a motion to report progress.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. There is a motion to report progress. The motion is not debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? Thank you, the motion is carried. I will rise and report progress to the Speaker. Thank you.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Speaker
The House will come back to order. Good evening. We are on Item 20, report of the committee of the whole. Mr. Ningark.
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
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John Ningark Natilikmiot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good evening to you, Mr. Speaker. Your committee has been considering Tabled Document 37-13(6) and would like to report progress. I move that the report of the committee of the whole be concurred with. Thank you.
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
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The Speaker
Thank you. Moved by Mr. Ningark, seconded by Mr. Erasmus, the motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried. Item 21, third reading of Bills. Mr. Miltenberger.
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
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Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I request unanimous consent to return to item 14, notices of motion.
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
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The Speaker
The Member for Thebacha is seeking unanimous consent to go back to item 14, notices of motion. Do we have any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Miltenberger, you have unanimous consent.
Motion 14-13(6): To Rescind Resolution 12-13(6), To Adopt The Recommendations Of The Conflict Of Interest Commissioner In Td 37-13(6) And, To Establish A Review Panel On Conflict Of Interest Legislation, Policies And Guidelines
Revert To Item 14: Notices Of Motion
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Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, December 9, 1998, I will move the following motion.
Whereas the Legislative Assembly has been considering Tabled Document 37-13(6), Report of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner, in committee of the whole since Friday, December 4, 1998;
And whereas all Members have had an opportunity to express their initial views on the report and its recommendations;
And whereas it is desirable to also address some of the broader issues raised by the report and by the debate on the report;
And whereas it is in the public interest to conclude this issue pending a more in-depth review of issues raised;
Now therefore, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit, that Motion 12-13(6) be rescinded;
And further that this Legislative Assembly adopt all eight of the recommended sanctions of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner as outlined on pages 102 through to 104 of the Commissioner's report;
And furthermore that the Management and Services Board be directed to fund the legal costs of the Member for Hay River, Mrs. Groenewegen, in relation to the conflict of interest inquiry process, where the Commissioner has made a recommendation that those legal costs be paid;
And furthermore that a three-member review panel be established by the Management and Services Board to review and assess the adequacy and the effectiveness of the conflict of interest provisions contained in Part III of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, and any policies and guidelines developed which relate to the area of conflict of interest;
And furthermore that the review panel be chaired by an eminent person independent of government;
And furthermore that the review panel assess the appropriateness, adequacy and effectiveness of the conflict of interest guidelines for senior government officials;
And furthermore that the review panel consider specifically what are appropriate standards regarding financial dealings for Members of the Legislative Assembly, senior government officials, and their respective spouses, and to recommend higher standards where the review board deems them to be appropriate;
And furthermore that the review panel may make recommendations with respect to proposed amendments to the conflict provisions of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act for Members and to policies and practices for senior government officials.
And furthermore that the review panel seek input from Members of this Legislative Assembly, Conflict of Interest Commissioner, senior officials of this government and from the public on the issue of the proposed amendments to the conflict of interest provisions of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act;
And furthermore that the review panel report to the Management and Services Board by no later than April 15, 1999.
And furthermore that the review panel report be released publicly.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will seek unanimous consent to deal with my motion today. Thank you.
Motion 14-13(6): To Rescind Resolution 12-13(6), To Adopt The Recommendations Of The Conflict Of Interest Commissioner In Td 37-13(6) And, To Establish A Review Panel On Conflict Of Interest Legislation, Policies And Guidelines
Revert To Item 14: Notices Of Motion
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The Speaker
Thank you. Notices of Motion. We are on third reading of bills. Mr. Miltenberger.
Motion 14-13(6): To Rescind Resolution 12-13(6), To Adopt The Recommendations Of The Conflict Of Interest Commissioner In Td 37-13(6) And, To Establish A Review Panel On Conflict Of Interest Legislation, Policies And Guidelines
Revert To Item 14: Notices Of Motion
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Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to return to item 16, motions.
Motion 14-13(6): To Rescind Resolution 12-13(6), To Adopt The Recommendations Of The Conflict Of Interest Commissioner In Td 37-13(6) And, To Establish A Review Panel On Conflict Of Interest Legislation, Policies And Guidelines
Revert To Item 14: Notices Of Motion
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The Speaker
The Member for Thebacha is seeking unanimous consent to return to item 16, motions. Do I have any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Miltenberger, you have unanimous consent.
Revert To Item 16: Motions
Revert To Item 16: Motions
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Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I request unanimous consent to deal with my motion today, at this time. Thank you.
Revert To Item 16: Motions
Revert To Item 16: Motions
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The Speaker
The Member for Thebacha is seeking unanimous consent to deal with Motions 14-13(6). Do we have any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Miltenberger, you have unanimous consent.
Motion 14-13(6): To Rescind Resolution 12-13(6), To Adopt The Recommendations Of The Conflict Of Interest Commissioner In Td 37-13(6) And, To Establish A Review Panel On Conflict Of Interest Legislation, Policies And Guidelines
Revert To Item 16: Motions
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Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly has been considering Tabled Document 37-13(6), Report of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner, in committee of the whole since Friday, December 4, 1998;
AND WHEREAS all Members have had an opportunity to express their initial views on the report and its recommendations;
AND WHEREAS it is desirable to also address some of the broader issues raised by the report and by the debate on the report;
AND WHEREAS it is in the public interest to conclude this issue pending a more in-depth review of issues raised;
NOW THEREFORE, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit, that Motion 12-13(6) be rescinded;
AND FURTHER that this Legislative Assembly adopt all eight of the recommended sanctions of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner as outlined on pages 102 through to 104 of the Commissioner's report;
AND FURTHERMORE that the Management and Services Board be directed to fund the legal costs of the Member for Hay River, Mrs. Groenewegen, in relation to the conflict of interest inquiry process, where the Commissioner has made a recommendation that those legal costs be paid;
AND FURTHERMORE that a three-member review panel be established by the Management and Services Board to review and assess the adequacy and the effectiveness of the conflict of interest provisions contained in Part III of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, and any policies and guidelines developed which relate to the area of conflict of interest;
AND FURTHERMORE that the review panel be chaired by an eminent person independent of government;
AND FURTHERMORE that the review panel assess the appropriateness, adequacy, and effectiveness of the conflicts of interest guidelines for senior government officials;
AND FURTHERMORE that the review panel consider specifically what are appropriate standards regarding financial dealings for Members of the Legislative Assembly, senior government officials, and their respective spouses, and to recommend higher standards where the review panel deems them to be appropriate;
AND FURTHERMORE that the review panel may make recommendations with respect to proposed amendments to the conflict provisions of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act for Members and to policies and practices for senior government officials.
AND FURTHERMORE that the review panel seek input from Members of this Legislative Assembly, Conflict of Interest Commissioner, senior officials of this government and from the public on the issue of the proposed amendments to the conflict of interest provisions of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act;
AND FURTHERMORE that the review panel report to the Management and Services Board no later than April 15, 1999.
AND FURTHERMORE that the review panel report be released publicly.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Motion 14-13(6): To Rescind Resolution 12-13(6), To Adopt The Recommendations Of The Conflict Of Interest Commissioner In Td 37-13(6) And, To Establish A Review Panel On Conflict Of Interest Legislation, Policies And Guidelines
Revert To Item 16: Motions
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The Speaker
Thank you. The motion is in order. Mr. Morin.
Motion 14-13(6): To Rescind Resolution 12-13(6), To Adopt The Recommendations Of The Conflict Of Interest Commissioner In Td 37-13(6) And, To Establish A Review Panel On Conflict Of Interest Legislation, Policies And Guidelines
Revert To Item 16: Motions
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Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given that this motion involves the financial matter in which I have an interest, I am declaring a conflict and withdraw from the Assembly.
Motion 14-13(6): To Rescind Resolution 12-13(6), To Adopt The Recommendations Of The Conflict Of Interest Commissioner In Td 37-13(6) And, To Establish A Review Panel On Conflict Of Interest Legislation, Policies And Guidelines
Revert To Item 16: Motions
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The Speaker
Thank you. To the motion. Mrs. Groenewegen.
Motion 14-13(6): To Rescind Resolution 12-13(6), To Adopt The Recommendations Of The Conflict Of Interest Commissioner In Td 37-13(6) And, To Establish A Review Panel On Conflict Of Interest Legislation, Policies And Guidelines
Revert To Item 16: Motions
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Jane Groenewegen Hay River
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as this motion involves in part the issue of payment of my legal fees, I would like to declare a conflict and will withdraw from the Legislature and not vote on this issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Motion 14-13(6): To Rescind Resolution 12-13(6), To Adopt The Recommendations Of The Conflict Of Interest Commissioner In Td 37-13(6) And, To Establish A Review Panel On Conflict Of Interest Legislation, Policies And Guidelines
Revert To Item 16: Motions
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The Speaker
To the motion. Mr. Miltenberger.
Motion 14-13(6): To Rescind Resolution 12-13(6), To Adopt The Recommendations Of The Conflict Of Interest Commissioner In Td 37-13(6) And, To Establish A Review Panel On Conflict Of Interest Legislation, Policies And Guidelines
Revert To Item 16: Motions
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Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, after extensive and intense debate, this motion is an attempt to bring closure to this particular part of the process of reviewing the Conflict of Interest report and moving it along to the next process where, in fact, more work can be done in a detailed way that will help deal with the issues raised in this report. I would ask that my colleagues consider supporting this and at the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I request that this be a recorded vote. Thank you.
Motion 14-13(6): To Rescind Resolution 12-13(6), To Adopt The Recommendations Of The Conflict Of Interest Commissioner In Td 37-13(6) And, To Establish A Review Panel On Conflict Of Interest Legislation, Policies And Guidelines
Revert To Item 16: Motions
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The Speaker
Thank you. Seconder from Iqaluit, Mr. Picco.
Motion 14-13(6): To Rescind Resolution 12-13(6), To Adopt The Recommendations Of The Conflict Of Interest Commissioner In Td 37-13(6) And, To Establish A Review Panel On Conflict Of Interest Legislation, Policies And Guidelines
Revert To Item 16: Motions
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Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a seconder of the motion, Mr. Speaker, I think that the motion addresses the entire Conflict of Interest report and goes considerably further. First of all, all recommendations by the commissioner, Anne Crawford, are adopted and that Mrs. Groenewegen receive full payment for her legal costs and that an independent review panel will review all aspects of the conflict of interest provisions and also the human resource guidelines, including the opted out clause. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be supporting the motion. Thank you.
Motion 14-13(6): To Rescind Resolution 12-13(6), To Adopt The Recommendations Of The Conflict Of Interest Commissioner In Td 37-13(6) And, To Establish A Review Panel On Conflict Of Interest Legislation, Policies And Guidelines
Revert To Item 16: Motions
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The Speaker
To the motion. Mr. Steen.
Motion 14-13(6): To Rescind Resolution 12-13(6), To Adopt The Recommendations Of The Conflict Of Interest Commissioner In Td 37-13(6) And, To Establish A Review Panel On Conflict Of Interest Legislation, Policies And Guidelines
Revert To Item 16: Motions
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Vince Steen Nunakput
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will not be supporting this motion as I feel that one clause there, where it refers to adopting all of these recommended sanctions of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner as outlined. I feel this move on the part of the Legislative Assembly would serve to render obsolete Mr. Morin's appeal to the Supreme Court. I would think that if we adopt this, there would be no point to the appeal. The decision would be made that the Conflict of Interest Commissioner was not biased. At this point in time, not arguing whether it is biased or not, I am arguing the point that I feel it would render obsolete Mr. Morin's move to have the appeal heard before the Supreme Court. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.