Mr. Speaker, committee researched the advantages and disadvantages of public service commissions in other jurisdictions. Efforts to call attention to the poor affirmative action results, hiring practices and government-wide human resources management practices included a theme approach for Members' statements and question period culminating in passage of Motion 5-14(3), Establishment of a Public Services Commission. The Executive Council commissioned the Human Resources Management Study, otherwise known as the Thornton report, in response to the motion and transmitted the report to committee.

Although the government has not formally responded to the recommendations of the Thornton report, the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight reported to the Legislative Assembly on June 12, 2001, with a preliminary Committee Report 4-14(4), which included recommendations for a process to continue to work with the government to achieve a professional public service.

Since the committee report was presented, there have been ongoing discussions between the committee and the government and the committee is hopeful that an agreement on the process to move this forward will soon be reached.