Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Accountability and Oversight Committee, one of the newly formed standing committees of the 14th Legislative Assembly, recently held a two-day operational and planning workshop in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The purpose of the workshop was to develop a coordinated and cohesive approach to reviewing government-wide issues that will come before the committee.

The Accountability and Oversight Committee, being comprised of all 11 regular Members, focused discussions on developing a vision and mission that will guide our work for the next four years. As part of developing the vision and mission, the committee discussed and established fundamental values which would form the foundation for how committee members carry out their activities. Mr. Speaker, the committee agreed upon the following vision, mission and value statement:

Our Vision is to be responsive and accountable to the public by acting with integrity to contribute to the achievement of the 14th Legislative Assembly's vision.

Our Mission would be to take positive action to support, question or oppose government initiatives and to hold government accountable.

Mr. Speaker, as Members of the Accountability and Oversight Committee, we have agreed that we will work together in a manner that;

• • is in accordance with the Members' conduct guidelines of the Legislative Assembly;
• • promotes trust and openness in our dealings with each other;
• • provides the opportunity to exercise our rights and privilege to voice opinions;
• • recognizes that after best efforts to reach consensus we may agree to disagree; and
• • recognizes that there are formal and established procedures through which dissenting Members may express their views.

Mr. Speaker, the Accountability and Oversight Committee recognizes that this is just the start of their commitment to work together to develop the priorities and objectives necessary to guide the government in building healthier communities for all of our residents. As set out in our vision statement, Members are committed to making a positive contribution to the 14th Legislative Assembly.

As part of the next steps in this focusing process, the committee will be meeting again in the near future to further refine their work on priority and objective setting. It is the intention of the Accountability and Oversight Committee to report back to the public and this House on the outcome of this next session, as well as to report on other matters as required. Thank you Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that this report be received by the Assembly and adopted. Thank you.