Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a number of questions have been asked in the Legislative Assembly this week with respect to the compensation and benefits that are available to Ministers of this government. Mr. Speaker, the Cabinet for the new Northwest Territories considered this matter at its first planning meeting at Cli Lake on April 7th and 8th, 1999. Since that time, Cabinet has begun a comprehensive review of all aspects of the ministerial compensation package, the Ministerial Policy Manual and the recommendations of the Commission on MLA Compensation.
As a result of our initial review of these matters, work has begun on the development of recommendations to rationalize the compensation and benefits available to Ministers. We expect to consider these recommendations within the next several weeks. Mr. Speaker, these recommendations will deal with all aspects of the ministerial compensation package including: ministerial salaries, expense reimbursements, annual and sick leave, furniture allowance, relocation assistance, furniture disposal, headquarters accommodation reimbursement and home travel. In addition, Mr. Speaker, we will be considering recommendations on the transition allowances available to outgoing Cabinet Ministers. This is to ensure consistency and transparency in the availability of these allowances.
Mr. Speaker, Cabinet is committed to the implementation of a fair, simple, easy to understand and transparent system of compensation and benefits for Cabinet Ministers. As I stated earlier, substantial progress has been made on the development of recommendations to change the current system of compensation for Ministers since the current Members of Cabinet first met in April. We will provide all relevant details of these changes to the Members of this House during the summer sitting of the Legislative Assembly. Mr. Speaker, it is important to note that our review and resulting changes will be limited to the compensation and benefits available to Ministers. Any changes with respect to MLA compensation are issues that can only be determined by all Members of the Legislative Assembly and must be left to another forum. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause