Mr. Speaker, the special committee has recognized two major aspects to its work. The first being the requirement to address the sunset clause and the second relating to the implementation of self-government agreements in the Northwest Territories.
With respect to self-government, it is the role of the special committee to provide information to the general public and aboriginal governments and to make recommendations to the Legislative Assembly and the Government of the Northwest Territories that reflect new governance partnerships. Our recommendations may include changes to legislation, budgetary processes, policy and practices, or transitional measures to implement self-government.
Responsibilities of the special committee will require:
- • the evaluation of existing statutes, legislation and negotiated agreements;
- • investigation of how public government structures, processes, policies and practices will change;
- • determination of immediate and long-term changes to the powers and authority of the GNWT; and
- • a review of how the role of the Legislative Assembly will be impacted in the areas of legislation and budget arrangements.
Our first task as members of the special committee requires us to address the sunset clause. In a broad sense, the sunset clause is related to representation and its relationship to the establishment of aboriginal governments, as well as the responsibility for public government at the territorial level in the North. In preparing to seek public input into this aspect of our work, we felt it was important that the members have a complete understanding of what the sunset clause is and what impact it would have on the operation of public government in the Northwest Territories if it was not addressed.