On May 11, 2000, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly referred, by letter, a number of issues to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures for consideration. Specifically, one issue brought to the Speaker's attention by a Member dealt with a perceived need for a mechanism allowing for committees to make statements in the House related to the business of that committee. Specifically the Member's request noted that:
There should be an opportunity during routine Orders of the Day for standing committee chairs to make formal statements to the House on issues and items of interest to all Members and the public that are before the committee or fall within its mandate.