Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of privilege under Rule 20(1). In a news story aired on CBC Radio this morning, Mr. Dave Miller reported that Cabinet rejected to establish a Public Service Commission. Mr. Miller suggested that in the consensus system of government, abstaining from a vote is in effect a signal of opposition.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to clarify that it is a long-standing custom in the consensus system of government for Cabinet to abstain from voting on motions that provide direction to the government.

-- Interjection

Order, please, order.

Mr. Speaker, one need only go back to a motion from the second Session earlier this year to see the difference. On a motion directing a comprehensive audit of the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Cabinet signalled its opposition, because of the costs incurred, to the motion and voted no. That is clearly different than abstaining.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to reaffirm, on the record, that Cabinet has heard the direction from Ordinary Members with respect to the establishment of a Public Service Commission. Over the next while, Cabinet will be reviewing the recommendation, conduct any additional research that may be required, and report back to the Assembly as soon as possible. We want to work with the regular Members to do this task.

As a first step, it would be useful, as the Premier mentioned, to have a copy of the research that has led to the conclusion the creation of a Public Service Commission...

Order, please. Order, Mr. Handley. Mr. Handley, I have noted from your filed statement that you have changed some words. Mr. Handley, you are not allowed to change any of the statement you have filed with the Speaker.

-- Interjection

Speaker's Ruling

Order, please. The Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley, has raised a point of privilege under Rule 20(1). I can confirm that the Member did provide me with his point of privilege under Rule 20(2), one hour before he raised it. The Member has corrected the CBC report and his point of privilege is accepted. However, I would indicate that the Member went beyond the requirements of the rule, which is to explain the point of privilege in a clear and concise manner by providing comments on a previous vote of this Assembly, and the Cabinet's course of action on yesterday's Motion 5-14(3), on establishing a Public Service Commission. Thank you,.

The Chair recognizes the honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

The Member for Hay River South is seeking unanimous consent to return to item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Welcome to the gallery. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for changing the subject so quickly and giving me the opportunity to recognize Ms. Helen Hudson McDonald, from my constituency. Thank you.

-- Applause

Welcome, Ms. McDonald. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, replies to budget address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to table a letter to me from a constituent about her concerns with the new student financial assistance rules. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Item 14, tabling of documents. Item 15, notices of motion. Item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 17, motions. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker,

I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Frame Lake, that the Speaker be authorized to set such sitting days and hours as the Speaker, after consultation, deems fit to assist with the business before the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know the intent of the motion, but I would just like to make it clear, especially for the public out there, that no way, shape or form that we as a government should railroad this budget through the House by taking advantage of the rule in the motion.

I believe the intent of the rule is in place strictly to allow the House to conclude its business where we are finding there is a backlog in the process and we are behind on the budget. Most budgets that have gone through this House have taken up to eight weeks.

Yet this budget, I do not want to see it not go through the process of allowing debate and ensuring the communities that are affected by this budget, especially regarding the cuts that are taking place in this budget, have an opportunity to debate it and do justice for the people we serve in the Northwest Territories. They elected us to be here to ensure their say is being heard, their issues raised and there will be something done with this government.

This budget will set the precedent for the next four years. I feel this rule should only be used when we find ourselves in a bind and down to a time crunch. This Session was supposed to take three weeks. I do not want to see it take two weeks. I want debate. I want to see issues put on the table, Ministers held accountable and departments hearing the concerns and questions by Members of this House.

I want to ensure that debate takes place. I do not support this motion.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Just a reminder that the motion deals with all the business of the House and not just the budget. To the motion. Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, just for clarification, the purpose of the motion is not to try to railroad things through and not do a thorough job. We want to do a thorough job. However, Mr. Speaker, if it is necessary, and there have been times that it has been already this week, to extend question period and so on, we do sometimes have to consider the option of extending our sitting time in order to get our business done. That is the only intention. There is no motive here to try to jam things through. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. Sitting hours will be extended accordingly.

Item 17, motions. Item 18, first reading of bills. Item 19, second reading of bills. Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 2, Write-off of Debts Act, 2000-2001, be read for the second time. Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the write-off of debts in accordance with section 24 of the Financial Administration Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. Bill 2 has had second reading. Accordingly, the bill stands referred to a committee. Item 19, second reading of bills. Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 3, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2000-2001, be read for the second time. Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the forgiveness of debts in accordance with section 25 of the Financial Administration Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. Bill 3 has had second reading. Accordingly, the bill stands referred to a committee. Item 19, second reading of bills. Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 4, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act, be read for the second time. Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Workers' Compensation Act to facilitate the determination of appeals by removing a limitation on the number of members on the appeals tribunal.

This bill also amends the Act to provide that members of the board and review committees may not be appointed to the appeals tribunal. In addition, this bill also authorizes the appointment of a vice-chairperson and an acting vice-chairperson of the appeals tribunal and sets out certain transitional rules respecting the continuation in office of members of the appeals tribunal. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.