Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
WHEREAS the Members of the 13th Legislative Assembly have the authority and responsibility to recommend the appointment of a person to serve as Premier and head of the Government of the Northwest Territories;
AND WHEREAS the 13th Legislative Assembly on November 22, 1995 through Motion 2-13(1) recommended to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories appointments to the Executive Council;
AND WHEREAS the 13th Legislative Assembly selected the Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Don Morin, to be Premier and head of the government;
AND WHEREAS the Conflict of Interest Commissioner has ordered that a public inquiry be held into a complaint filed against the Premier;
AND WHEREAS the position of Premier and the Executive Council as a whole should be held in high regard by the residents of the Northwest Territories;
AND WHEREAS it would be in the public interest that the Premier take the necessary action to allay any concerns of territorial residents until the public inquiry is concluded and a report tabled in the Legislative Assembly that he step aside as Premier.
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that this Legislative Assembly requests the Premier, the Honourable Don Morin, to relinquish his responsibilities as Premier until the public inquiry into the conflict of interest complaint filed against him is concluded and the report tabled and dealt within the Legislative Assembly;
AND FURTHER that the Deputy Premier assumes full responsibility for the day to day management of the Government of the Northwest Territories;
AND FURTHERMORE that the Honourable Don Morin remain as Minister without portfolio, but not attend meetings of Cabinet and the Financial Management Board.