Section 15 of the NWT Business Credit Corporation Act prohibits disclosure of details pertaining to loans made. The committee is of the mind that the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development and its lending agencies must weigh client confidentiality against accountability to the public when lending public funds. Expectations are different when public money is borrowed as opposed to when money is borrowed from a chartered bank. Loans made through the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development are a higher risk. The committee felt that there are some details of loans that should not remain private. There is client information that can be released to the public without jeopardizing the business. This client information is important for the public to see what is being done with public funds and alleviate the scepticism and mistrust circulating around on how this government has issued loans to businesses in the past. Further, the committee is of the opinion that there should be a statute of limitations for disclosure of loans that have gone bad.

The Standing Committee recommends that the NWT Business Credit Corporation Act be reviewed to make appropriate information on loans available to the public where such information will not jeopardize a business;

And further, that the Act be changed to allow for information on bad debts to become public after a suitable period of time.

At this time, Mr. Speaker, I would request the Chairman of AOC continue with the report.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The committee discussed the need to include clear goals and performance measurements in both departmental and territorial corporation business plans. Integral to the achievement of goals are monitoring and tracking systems. Employees are instrumental in the achievement of goals but their roles are not being identified. This results in the lack of a clear accountability framework for the achievement of goals.

The committee questioned the comptroller general regarding the accountability of staff when goals and monitoring are not accomplished. The comptroller general indicated that tools to achieve accountability of individuals are limited and include job appraisals and performance bonuses. If a performance was bad enough, a person could lose their job; there was no need to implement other punitive measures.

The committee is of the opinion that an individual staff member's performance appraisal should be directly linked to the department or agency's business plans and the benchmarks used to mark progress towards goals. If a goal or benchmark is not accomplished, it should be determined why not. If the reason is human in nature, then corrective actions should be made. Employees are an integral component of accountability. Corrective actions do not need to be punitive but should include regular performance appraisals, re-evaluating job descriptions on a regular basis and training. Departments and territorial corporations need to ensure that each employee's job description fits into the goals in their business plan.

Many of the issues reported on in the Auditor General's report can be attributed to the need for more diligent monitoring. In the final paragraphs of the report, the Auditor General highlights the need for monitoring investments.

"Monitoring is highly important for the Government to know that its funding is achieving the results it expects (par. 8.8)".

This statement can be extrapolated and applied to all government activities -- monitoring is needed for the government to know it is achieving the results it expects.

Unfortunately, the government appears to be delegating authority and resources without having the necessary systems for monitoring, evaluation and accountability in place. Changes have been made to the Government organization to address financial restraint but corresponding systems for monitoring and evaluation were ignored. This has resulted in a situation where we have delegation without monitoring and accountability.

The committee is alarmed over the government's inability to take action when a department or corporation does not follow proper procedures. There appears to be nothing other than withholding managerial bonuses or in the extreme case, termination, to deal with transgressions. Time and again Members have been informed that ultimately, the Ministers and deputy ministers are responsible for their departments. However, when a department or agency is found in violation of government procedures, are these not the people held accountable? What are the consequences and where are the accountability frameworks? During the review, the comptroller general commented that there are limited tools in the government to get prompt adherence to procedures. When breeches of government procedures occur and no corrective actions are taken, public perception of government accountability suffers.

The Standing Committee recommends that the Financial Administration Act be reviewed to address requirements for accountability frameworks, monitoring and tracking systems, and more tools for ensuring compliance with policies, regulations, directives and procedures.

The committee noted that there have been changes in the structure of government and the methods by which it delivers programs. The comptroller general indicated that upwards of 50 percent of the Government of the NWT's budget is being delivered by third parties. Further to this, it is unclear what systems and procedures the government has in place to monitor third-party compliance with the conditions of contribution agreements. Without proper monitoring, the government will not have a complete picture of whether important policy objectives are being met. Monitoring of compliance with the conditions of the contribution agreements is important to ensure that the intended results have been achieved.

The Standing Committee recommends that it be a condition for all future contribution agreements to include a functioning monitoring and reporting system to ensure compliance with GNWT objectives;

And further, that the Financial Administration Act be reviewed to address requirements for accountability frameworks, monitoring and tracking systems, and more tools for ensuring Third Party compliance with GNWT objectives.

In its response to the 1995 report of the Auditor General, the Financial Management Board Secretariat did indicate that legislative changes to the Financial Administration Act might be considered in order to improve third party accountability. To date, these changes have not been made. The Comptroller General indicated that a third party accountability framework will be developed in the winter of 2000-2001. It is hoped that the government will include in these changes measures to ensure that effective monitoring mechanisms and accountability frameworks are put in place and, more importantly, enforced to prevent a situation similar to the overexpenditure by the NWT Development Corporation from re-occurring.

The Auditor General conducted a limited review of contracting practices to gain an understanding of the process and to identify areas of risk. As a result of the review, there were areas of potential risk associated with some of the contracting practices that were examined. Chapter 6 of the Auditor General's Report presents a summary of their observations and indicates that a more in-depth review or audit will need to be done to conclude the extent of areas of risk that are cause for concern.

The Standing Committee recommends that the Legislative Assembly request the Auditor General for Canada to conduct an independent review of Government Contracting to ascertain the extent of the areas of risk to government

The committee expressed concern that the Government is using request for proposals (RFPs) process far too often. The public does not view RFPs as an open and transparent contracting process. The comptroller general stated that there is a study of best practices that has been completed and proposed reforms in contracting practices will go forward for Financial Management Board consideration in the near future.

Successive reports of the Auditor General have expressed concern over the potentially huge liability resulting from the absence of an allowance for environmental restoration costs. The 1997 report of the Standing Committee on Government Operations recommended that a list of contaminated sites be prioritized, identifying sites that pose a risk to the health and safety of people or wildlife. The committee further recommended that funding be identified and final clean up of these sites be conducted at the earliest possible time. The Auditor General notes in paragraph 2.16 of the report that, and I quote:

"At present, the government has not prioritized the list of potentially contaminated sites, as it does not yet have the data to do so."

The comptroller general indicated to the committee that post-division there are about 451 sites with potential environmental liabilities. He further indicated that, and I quote:

"They are doing quite a bit to inspect those sites over time and to take remediation action where it is appropriate."

Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee recommends that the government readdress the recommendations regarding environmental clean-up and related restoration costs presented in the Report of the Review of the Report of the Auditor General to the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly for the Year Ended March 31, 1996.

The Standing Committee recommends that the government develop an action plan for presentation to the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight that deals with the recommendations raised in the Report of the Auditor General to the Legislative Assembly for the years 1997 and 1998 and the recommendations in this report;

And further, that the action plan contains benchmarks, an accountability framework and firm timelines.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to indicate that included in the formal committee report are the transcripts of the public hearings held on September 27th and 28th of this year.

Mr. Speaker, that concludes the report of the standing committee on its public review of the Report of the Auditor General for Canada to the Legislative Assembly for the years 1997 and 1998.

Therefore, I move, seconded by the deputy chair and Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland, that the report of the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight of its review of the Auditor General of Canada's report to the Legislative Assembly for the years 1997 and 1998 be received by the Legislative Assembly and moved into committee of the whole for consideration. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have two. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Tuesday, November 7, 2000, I will move that Bill 13, Hotel Room Tax Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As well, Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Tuesday, November 7, 2000, I will move that Bill 15, An Act to Amend the Northwest Territories Power Corporation Act and Public Service Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker,

WHEREAS family violence has a serious and traumatic impact on the health and wellbeing of spouses, children, families and communities;

AND WHEREAS this impact has far-reaching and long-term consequences, including addictions, mental, social and emotional problems, dysfunctional family relationships, crime and suicide;

AND WHEREAS adults who experienced family violence as children often experience violence in their own families, men are more likely to be violent in their relationships and women are more likely to be victims;

AND WHEREAS family violence will continue to affect our northern society as long as people continue to tolerate or ignore its occurrence;

AND WHEREAS all Northwest Territories people, young and old, deserve to live in homes and communities free from family violence and its tragic effects;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Frame Lake, that the Members of the 14th Legislative Assembly declare their intent to address the issue of family violence through their personal commitments to help stop family violence through their own actions and leadership, and further support a collective commitment of the 14th Legislative Assembly to work in partnership with communities and their leaders to help lift the silence surrounding family violence and create caring supports for people experiencing violence;

AND FURTHERMORE, the 14th Legislative Assembly invites all northern leaders, including leaders of aboriginal governments and organizations, municipal governments, trade unions, boards, agencies, and societies to adopt the principle of zero tolerance of family violence in spirit and in practice. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I outlined in my Minister's statement earlier today, family violence continues to be a critical issue for the North. Therefore, I am pleased to bring forward this motion, seconded by the Member for Frame Lake, as an affirmation of this government's commitment to work to address this issue.

In 1994, the 12th Legislative Assembly made a commitment to zero tolerance for all forms of violence, and endorsed the goal of eliminating family violence by the year 2000. While this was an honourable and commendable goal, it was quite optimistic.

Mr. Speaker, we know that family violence is a complex and difficult matter for victims, perpetrators, families and communities. It can take many forms: physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, financial, and property abuse. Power and control are at the root of this abuse.

As leaders, our approach to this issue can shape attitudes. Many Members have risen in the House over the past week to share their perspective on this difficult issue. This is a key step in working towards the elimination of family violence in order to openly talk about it so we minimize the feelings of shame and stigma, act as role models and actively show what is and what is not deemed acceptable behaviour.

In addition, government as a whole can take steps to raise awareness of the issue, provide for adequate emergency, intervention and support across the North for those affected by violence and implement policies and practices that make it clear that violence or abusive behaviour is unacceptable.

It is important to remember that government alone cannot stop the violence. It is up to us as leaders but it is also up to all Northerners to take personal responsibility in whatever way each of us can in our lives to uphold the principle of zero tolerance.

We have seen societal changes towards issues such as drinking and driving. Public pressure has made this less acceptable. In the same way, we can confront the devastating effects of family violence if we bring it out in the open, talk about it and make it clear that we do not in any way condone it. All of us as individuals must be vigilant in speaking out against family violence in order to ensure the respect for and the safety of all Northerners.

Working together, we can eliminate family violence. I welcome the opportunity for discussion on this very important motion here today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to be able to speak in favour of this motion. This is a cause I have supported and spoken out on numerous occasions in the past. Mr. Speaker, in 1994, the Legislative Assembly passed a motion which stated that this Legislature has adopted the principle of zero tolerance of violence against all people, and the goal of eliminating family violence by the year 2000.

It has been noted by several this week that it is now the year 2000 and unfortunately, we have not achieved the goal set out in that declaration made six years ago.

So, Mr. Speaker, again we must all speak out and rededicate ourselves and our efforts to raise awareness across the North of this terrible problem. Mr. Speaker, personally, I make the commitment to do whatever I can to bring an end to this tragic cycle of family violence.

Individual agencies and government, as has been noted, cannot solve this problem on their own. We must all work together and support organizations such as the Status of Women Council for the Northwest Territories and the Northwest Territories Native Women's Association, who have done so much to raise awareness of violence against women and children.

As has been mentioned by the Minister and others today, Mr. Speaker, the statistics from 1999 paint a very disturbing picture. It is hard to imagine in our small population 436 spousal assaults by male partners being reported to the RCMP last year. Over 200 sexual assaults being reported to the police. This is an extremely alarming figure given our population, since statistics show that only ten percent of sexual assault crimes are ever reported.

Mr. Speaker, there were 95 reported cases of sexual abuse of children and youth under the age of 18. Although family violence is a concern across Canada, Mr. Speaker, statistics show that women in the Northwest Territories use shelters at a rate five times higher than the rest of the country. We know, Mr. Speaker, that over 50 percent of federal inmates have suffered from abuse or witnessed family violence as a child. So obviously, Mr. Speaker, family violence contributes to a tremendous loss of people's ability to be successful in our society.

The Legislative Assembly, with this motion, is taking an important step of renewing its commitment towards the elimination of family violence but we have to take more than this first initial step. Our government must now develop a concrete strategy for dealing with the problem. It has to be a very broad strategy. This goes back to an issue of self-esteem in large part, so we need to have a strategy that involves education, involves dealing with addictions, involves healing, but it goes beyond that. It involves economic initiatives and opportunities for all people in all communities to have the opportunity to develop themselves.

We must also evaluate how we spend our money currently. Check which programs work, build on those that are successful and change those that are not working. We also must find a way to increase funding as it is necessary to help train counsellors to improve rehabilitation programs and to add to the amount of shelter space that is currently available. Mr. Speaker, women and children in crisis need to know that a safe place will be available and that alternatives exist other than returning to their abusive partner.

Mr. Speaker, we know that children who are abused or grow up in violent homes are immediately at a disadvantage. They are more likely to suffer from emotional behavioural problems and are at a higher risk of ending up becoming abusers themselves. It is only by breaking this tragic cycle that we will allow our children to grow up in a peaceful society that allows them to reach their full potential.

Mr. Speaker, family violence is unacceptable. We must work hard to break the silence and never let it remain hidden. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause