Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this motion deals with the establishment of a special committee to review the Official Languages Act. It reads:
WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly enacted the Official Languages Act in 1984 and amended it in 1986 and 1990;
AND WHEREAS the official languages of equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Legislative Assembly and the Government of the Northwest Territories;
AND WHEREAS Section 29 of the Official Languages Act requires that the Legislative Assembly or a committee established by it shall review the provisions and operation of the act at the session next following December 31, 2000;
AND WHEREAS a mandatory ten-year review shall include an examination of the administration and implementation of the act, the effectiveness of its provisions, the achievement of the objectives stated in its preamble and may include recommendations for changes to the act;
AND WHEREAS the Languages Commissioner shall provide all reasonable assistance to the Legislative Assembly or a committee established to review the act;
AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly wishes to begin the review of the Official Languages Act;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that the Legislative Assembly hereby establish a special committee to be named the Special Committee to Review the Official Languages Act;
AND FURTHER, that the following Members be named to the special committee:
- • The Honourable Mr. Allen, the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes;
- • Mr. Bell, the Member for Yellowknife South;
- • Mr. Krutko, the Member for Mackenzie Delta;
- • Mr. McLeod, the Member for Deh Cho; and
- • Mr. Nitah, the Member for Tu Nedhe;
AND FURTHERMORE, that notwithstanding Rule 88(2), the following Members be named as alternate Members to the special committee:
- • The Honourable Mr. Jim Antoine, the Member for Nahendeh;
- • Ms. Lee, the Member for Range Lake;
- • Mr. Miltenberger, the Member for Thebacha;
AND FURTHERMORE, the special committee prepares its terms of reference and present them at the first opportunity during the sitting of the Legislative Assembly in February of 2001. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.