The Member for Yellowknife South is seeking unanimous consent to waive rule 70(5). Do we have any nays? Mr. Henry, you have unanimous consent. Bill 5 will be ordered into Committee of the Whole for today. Reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled, Shaping Our Future, a Strategic Plan for Health and Wellness Summary. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Tabling of documents. Mr. Steen.

Thank you. Tabling of documents. Mr. Henry.

Tabling of documents. Item 14, notices of motion. Item 15, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Item 16, motions. Item 17, first reading of bills. Item 18, second reading of bills. Item 19, consideration in committee of the whole of bills and other matters. Committee Report 08-13(5), Review of the Report of the Auditor General on the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Financial Administration Act, No. 2, with Mr. Ningark in the Chair.

I call the committee to order. For consideration today in Committee of the Whole, we have Committee Report 08-13(5), Review of the Report of the Auditor General on the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Financial Administration Act, No. 2. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Barnabas.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The committee wishes to consider Committee Report 08-13(5) and Bill 5. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (Translation ends)

Thank you. We did get direction from the committee that we will consider Committee Report 08-13(5) and Bill 5. Does the committee agree?

Agreed.

Do we continue now or do you wish to take a break? We will take a very short break.

--Break

I would like to call the committee back to order. We are considering Committee Report 8-13(5), Review of the Report of the Auditor General on the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. At this time I would like to recognize Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee on Infrastructure, as mentioned yesterday in the House, had a chance to review the

Report of the Auditor General for Canada on the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. There are several recommendations and motions coming out of our report. First of all Mr. Chairman, I would like to begin with the senior administrative officer position, or SAO, as identified by the Auditor General for Canada.

Committee Members emphasized that successful fiscal management requires not only qualified staff, Mr. Chairman, but also sustained, long-term, cooperative effort. It appears that a number of SAOs are rarely consulted on municipal issues, despite the fact that they are responsible for a comprehensive array of programs and services. As well, adequate support is a concern, Mr. Chairman, and the smaller the community the proportionately smaller the pool of qualified personnel available to properly support the SAO and perform the necessary administrative, managerial and financial responsibilities.

Mr. Chairman, members recognize that the department's position is that the recruitment and hiring process are the responsibility of the municipality. However, in the committee's view, minimum hiring standards would contribute to an improvement in the quality of SAOs and their support staff. As almost all of the municipal funding is derived from the GNWT, the department should have a stake in the hiring process. A trilateral hiring process should be explored involving the department and the NWT Association of Municipalities in addition to the municipal council. The active participation of these authorities may also reduce potential transparency concerns related to the hiring process.

The committee also discussed the need for improved communication between the SAOs and their respective municipal councils. Consultation and frequent dialogue between the two parties may also assist municipalities to retain SAOs.

Mr. Chairman, at this time I would like to bring in some committee motions.

I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs develop a set of performance guidelines for senior administrative officers to ensure that the needs of the municipality and the priorities of the municipal council are met. Furthermore, feedback should also be obtained from the municipal council to properly and accurately evaluate performance. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Picco. The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. The Chair does not recognize a quorum. Thank you. The Chair recognizes a quorum. For the record, Mr. Picco will you please repeat the motion.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Motion No. 1.

I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs develop a set of performance guidelines for senior administrative officers to ensure that the needs of the municipality and the priorities of the municipal council are met. Furthermore, feedback should also be obtained from the municipal council to properly and accurately evaluate performance. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried. Continue Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Motion No. 2. I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs assist in the recruitment of qualified administrative, financial and management staff to provide satisfactory support for senior administrative officers. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Motion No. 3.

I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs develop, in conjunction with the NWTAM, a proposal for the completion of exit interviews for departing senior administrative officers. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Motion No. 4.