Mr. Chairman, colleagues, thank you once again for giving me the opportunity to appear before the committee of the whole to present the proposed main estimates for the Legislative Assembly for the 2001-2002 fiscal year.
The Legislative Assembly provides, within a framework of accepted democratic principles, an environment in which you, the elected representatives of the people of the Northwest Territories, can effectively, efficiently and to the best of your abilities meet the needs and aspirations of residents while taking into consideration the democratic diversity of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Chairman, the office of the Legislative Assembly supports the activities of the Members, both individually and collectively, in our roles as legislators, as representatives of our constituents within prescribed parliamentary function as provided by the Northwest Territories Act, our own Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act and the regulations and policies of the Board of Management.
Mr. Chairman, to be able to meet the obligations contained in the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, the Official Languages Act, the Elections Act, the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Board of Management policies, the Legislative Assembly is requesting a total of $11,680,000 in operations expenses for 2001-2002.
Mr. Chairman, the 2001-2002 main estimates reflect an increase in the Office of the Languages Commissioner, as well as the funds necessary to provide enhanced support to the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight. The Assembly has no capital requests for the coming year. Members will note that the Legislative Assembly has not submitted a five-year capital acquisition plan. This, Mr. Chairman, is not to say that we do not have a plan for replacement of ongoing items that will require the expenditure of funds. The government capital acquisition criteria require us to identify items under operating expenses rather than capital.
Mr. Chairman, I am sure you and Members will have observed that the main estimates before you today do not include funding for the two special committees that the Assembly established during the fall sitting. Once these two important special committees report to the House with their terms of reference, I expect there will be a request for supplementary appropriations.
With these brief comments, Mr. Chairman, colleagues, I again thank you for this opportunity on your behalf to present the proposed main estimates. I would be pleased to respond to questions and comments on the details of the main estimates. Thank you.