Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the motion, as it is drafted, suggests that I should take immediate action to regain the confidence of the public and all Members and if it is as generic as it is drafted, I do not think anybody can vote other than in support of it, whether or not we agree that any confidence has been lost. If it has been, of course, all of us, myself included, must take action to regain confidence. That is the nature of our work.
Each one of us is compelled to always act in the best interest of the values that we purport to represent and conduct ourselves accordingly. When we diminish ourselves, it is our obligation to take action necessary to regain that. That is really the nature of our work.
I am not going to be reduced to purely political interests here. It is my job to provide leadership and I think exemplary conduct in how I make decisions. Members will know that I have already taken action regarding staff. There is that rather compelling letter, as I said, from the committee that I think caused tremendous concern about what I could and could not do in the last few months. There was action contemplated as late as two or three weeks ago. I was advised by the Clerk that I was to do absolutely nothing, that there was no way that the committee would tolerate even a hint that I was going to take any action that might be perceived to be interfering or influencing whatever the committee was contemplating.
Having said that, I did go to the staff in July and I got collective advice from the staff about the alleged conduct, of which there was limited knowledge and discussion, again because of the committee, regarding Mr. Bayly and Ms. Sorensen. I went beyond what was recommended by senior management, my advisors. I issued letters of reprimand based on legal advice and management advice that I received.
I said earlier today that in my view, some form of reprimand was also warranted for April Taylor. Senior management did not agree with me on that. At best, I think they gave her a verbal form of reprimand.
You heard the testimony of April Taylor, who said in her view she did not deserve to get a letter of reprimand.
Mr. Chairman, the committee did not question me about why I took the action I did and what constituted the basis for the action that I did, but they did make the suggestion that in their view, it was not sufficient.
I should tell you, as I have said, I have already taken disciplinary action. It was considered collectively as appropriate action. In fact, a little bit beyond what I was advised to do.
I want to point out that both of these senior staff took responsibility for their actions and expressed sincere remorse for those actions. Mr. Bayly even offered his resignation, which I considered and did not take. I should point out that Ms. Sorensen has a lengthy work history that I believe is unblemished, untarnished and exemplary. Although Mr. Bayly does not have the same lengthy service for the Government of the Northwest Territories, the service he has provided to the Northwest Territories has been considered excellent and he has always demonstrated very high ethical standards.
These two individuals are considered by everyone who works with them to be extremely hardworking, principled and work to the highest standard. It is true that they were present in the room at some point or other, but it was the Deputy Premier and not these staff people who taped the conversation.
I recognize that Bayly and Sorensen made an error in judgment. In my words, the moment was there and the moment got away on them. While these actions are regrettable, they do not warrant dismissal and we do not believe that we can successfully withstand a legal challenge to such a decision, even if I were to contemplate it for a moment, which I am not.
I think it is important that the committee did not ask me to explain why I thought letters of reprimand were appropriate when I testified. I do not think it is fair for the committee to draw the conclusion that I should have dealt with these employees more harshly than I did without exploring the reasons for the actions that I took.
In any case, I have reviewed it again. If Members are interested in knowing the actions that I have taken to date, I have sought the legal advice and advice of senior management in this government. The actions that we took stand and are not going to be revisited. There are other ways in which I can take action. I will meet with the blessing of the Members and members of the public, of course, I will do that. I am always advised to do that, but it will not include revisiting these decisions.
Having said that, I have no difficulty with the motion as it is drafted. Thank you.