Thank you. During the last week or so, Members have been naming individuals outside this House who cannot protect themselves. They also even mentioned some staff members who cannot respond to things that have been said in this House. I would like to remind the Members of a ruling that I made back in the 12th Assembly, which carries into this Assembly, regarding the naming of names and also in imputing motives. For the record, so that in the future when Members do ask questions and make statements, that they have to remember you cannot mention names of people who cannot respond to you. I have asked the Clerk's Office to draft something up. This is the concern I have with regard to the increasing concerns about references made to government officials and private citizens in this Assembly.
This is not the first time this matter has been an issue in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. On March 10, 1995, during the 12th Assembly, the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Nerysoo, raised on a point of order concerning a tabling of unsigned letters and the use of individuals names in the House.
At this time, I would like to remind Members of the substance of the ruling I made on that point of order, and I quote, "As Members are aware, the privilege of being protected from prosecution for what is said in this House is a fundamental and long standing right that has been tested and consistently upheld in many court cases. However, it has also been a long standing convention that the rights of individuals outside of this Legislature are protected. The privilege we have, as Members and as a Legislature, also carry with them a great responsibility to ensure that those outside this House are protected. The way in which Members conduct themselves individually and collectively reflects on the institution of the Legislative Assembly. The respect in which Members hold this institution is clearly evident. In order to uphold and enhance this respect, I will not permit comments, whether written or spoken, in this Legislature, that have the tendency to question the personal integrity of others outside the House or impute motives to those unable to respond or which have the impact of adversely reflecting on the character of those persons outside of this Legislature."
I intend to uphold the spirit and intent of this past ruling and would caution all Members to consider comments they intend to make with that advice in mind.
--Applause