Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier today I received a copy of a report from the Conflict of Interest Commissioner which will be tabled later in this House and I would like to speak to the contents of that report.

The complaint was made by the Member for Thebacha and deals with my use of a company vehicle. Mr. Speaker, my business interests are in an administrative trust. However, Mr. Speaker, it is a family business in which my children and husband are employed. In the process of travelling back and forth to my constituency, my personal vehicle was left in Hay River for a period of time late this summer and in the early fall. The company vehicle was in Yellowknife being serviced.

Subsequently, Mr. Speaker, I took advantage of this vehicle being here and did jump in it and drive it for a period of time. Mr. Speaker, my husband decided to keep my vehicle in Hay River and transfer the company vehicle to his personal ownership, allowing for my use of the vehicle here. This use of the van came to Mr. Miltenberger's attention during this interim time.

In communication with the Conflict of Interest Commissioner in response to this complaint, I did not dispute this allegation or the fact that I should not have been using a vehicle registered to the company. The report indicates that his complaint will not be forwarded to a public inquiry under the rules of the conflict legislation. Any sanction will be at the discretion of the Assembly and I certainly will respect whatever that may be.

Mr. Speaker, I do apologize for failing to attend to this detail of ordering my affairs in such a way as to conform to the rules. This is a good reminder of how diligent we must be as elected officials in attending to matters which may cause offence. I also apologize for an embarrassment this may cause the government or my colleagues in this House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Item 10, petitions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition dealing with the matter of National Aboriginal Day. Mr. Speaker, my petition contains 114 signatures of Northwest Territories residents. Mr. Speaker, the petitioners request that June 21st be declared a statutory holiday in honour of National Aboriginal Day.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. The Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled Government of the Northwest Territories Combined 1998 and 1999 Public Service Annual Report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister Handley. Item 13, tabling of documents. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled People Helping People: Northwest Territories Housing Corporation 1998/99 Annual Report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Item 13, tabling of documents. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Premier suggested in the Legislative Assembly earlier this year that if there was enough support for aboriginal groups to declare Aboriginal Day a statutory holiday, then his office would seriously consider it.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to table a series of letters supporting a statutory holiday for Aboriginal Day. Those letters of support come from the Fort Smith Metis Council, the Village of Fort Simpson, the Town of Inuvik, the Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk, the Town of Normal Wells, the Dene Cultural Institute, Gwich'in Tribal Council, Yellowknife Metis Local 66, Metis Heritage Association, the Dene Nation, the Dene National Office, the Metis Nation, Gwich'in Council, Metis Local 52, Hamlet of Paulatuk, Fort Smith Landing First Nations, and Yellowknives Dene First Nations. Mr. Speaker, these letters are in support of making June 21st a statutory holiday.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Item 13, tabling of documents. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to table a letter dated October 31st of this year and it is to the Minister of Education, Mr. Ootes. It is from a territorial resident regarding student financial assistance, or lack of it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Item 13, tabling of documents. The Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to table the information that I requested during yesterday's committee of the whole, the Review of the 2000-2001 Supplementary Appropriation No. 1, provided by Minister Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 13, tabling of documents.

In accordance with section 102 of part 3 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, I wish to table the Report of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner in the Matter of Allegations Against the Member for Hay River South, filed under section 100 of the Act. Item 13, tabling of documents. Item 14, notices of motion. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, November 20, 2000, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe that the Legislative Assembly hereby establishes a special committee to be named the Special Committee on Self-Government Implementation and the Sunset Clause; and further that the following Members be named to the special committee:

• • Honourable Jim Antoine, the Member for Nahendeh;
• • Mr. Braden, the Member for Great Slave;
• • Mr. Delorey, the Member for Hay River North;
• • Mr. Lafferty, the Member for North Slave; and
• • Ms. Lee, the Member for Range Lake

And furthermore, that notwithstanding rule 88 (2), the following Members be named as alternate members to the special committee:

• • Honourable Vince Steen, the Member for Nunakput;
• • Mr. McLeod, the Member for Deh Cho; and
• • Mr. Nitah, the Member for Tu Nedhe

And furthermore, that the special committee prepare its terms of reference and present them at the first opportunity during the sitting of the Legislative Assembly in February 2001.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will seek unanimous consent to deal with this motion today.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Item 14, notices of motion. The Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Item 14, notices of motion. Item 15, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 16, motions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to deal with my motion today.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to deal with his motion today. Are there any nays? There are no nays, Mr. Krutko. You may proceed with your motion.

Mr. Speaker, my motion, the establishment of a special committee on the implementation of self-government and a sunset clause;

WHEREAS the 14th Legislative Assembly has adopted their vision for a prosperous future, a strong, unified and self-reliant Northwest Territories that can take its rightful place in the federation and the international community;

AND WHEREAS the 14th Legislative Assembly in its document "Towards a Better Tomorrow" believes that aboriginal and other northern leaders working together in support of a common vision and strong sense of identity is the foundation to the better future for all residents;

AND WHEREAS the 14th Legislative Assembly believes that aboriginal people must have greater self-determination over their social, cultural, economic and political destiny;

AND WHEREAS aboriginal and public governments have unique, necessary and complementary roles to play in serving territorial residents;

AND WHEREAS it is important that there be a strong and effective aboriginal and public governments operating cooperatively and in partnership;

AND WHEREAS the system of government of the Northwest Territories must recognize and protect the rights of all residents, balancing individual citizens' rights and collective aboriginal rights;

AND WHEREAS section 2 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act provides that upon the 14th Legislative Assembly that the current electoral boundaries cease to exist;

AND WHEREAS it is important that the Legislative Assembly give consideration on the impact that this section would have for the future of public government in the Northwest Territories and upon the implementation of self-government;

AND WHEREAS the systems of government in the Northwest Territories should be valuable, workable, and affordable;

AND WHEREAS self-government negotiations with aboriginal people are well advanced in the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories has responsibility for delivery of programs and services to all residents of the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly desires to work cooperatively with all aboriginal governments in implementing their inherent right through final self-government agreements;

AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly should consider matters under its authority that are impacted by the implementation of self-government in the areas of legislation, programs, services, and finances to provide advice and direction to the Government of the Northwest Territories.

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, that the Legislative Assembly hereby establishes a special committee to be named, Special Committee on Self-Government Implementation and the Sunset Clause;

AND FURTHER, that the following Members be named to the special committee:

• • the honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine;
• • the Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden;
• • the Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey;
• • the Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty;
• • the Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee;

AND FURTHERMORE that notwithstanding rule 88(2), the following Members be named as alternate members to the special committee:

• • the honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Steen;
• • the Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod;
• • the Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah;

AND FURTHERMORE, that the special committee prepares its terms of reference and present them at the first opportunity during the sitting of the Legislative Assembly in February 2001.