Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker;

WHEREAS, the Legislative Assembly has established the Special Committee on the Review of the Official Languages Act;

AND WHEREAS, the Special Committee requires the approval of the Legislative Assembly of its Terms of Reference;

AND WHEREAS, the Special Committee has given consideration as to its Terms of Reference;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that the following provisions be adopted as the terms of reference for the Special Committee on the Review of the Official Languages Act:

1. The Special Committee in undertaking its review, adopts the following as operating principles:
2. a) The Special Committee will respect the right of language communities to represent their ideas and needs to the committee in the official language of their choice.
3. b) The Special Committee is committed to having amendments to the Official Languages Act introduced within the term of this Assembly.
4. c) The Special Committee is committed to an open and public process in reviewing the act and to providing opportunities for "stakeholder groups" and the general public to participate in the review process.
5. d) The Special Committee is committed to strengthening the official languages of the Northwest Territories and carrying out its duties related to the act in a manner that is consistent with this commitment.
6. e) The Special Committee is committed to public consultation, which will occur in each of the language areas of the Northwest Territories and with representatives of each recognized linguistic group in the Northwest Territories.
7. f) The Special Committee recognizes the value of elders in relation to aboriginal languages and will ensure elders participate fully in the review process.

2. The Special Committee shall:

1. a) review the provisions and operation of the Official Languages Act;
2. b) examine the objectives set out in the preamble of the act and the extent to which the objectives have been achieved;
3. c) examine all provisions of the act including the rights and responsibilities established in the act and the extent to which they have been effective in supporting achievement of the stated of objectives;
4. d) review the administrative regulations, policies and procedures established by the Government of the Northwest Territories designed to guide the implementation and interpretation of the act;
5. e) examine the effectiveness of the act's provisions in relation to the general public and the government departments and agencies charged with providing services;
6. f) evaluate the specific needs related to each of the official languages in the Northwest Territories;
7. g) examine the extent to which the public understands the current act and current language rights;
8. h) examine and consider the roles and responsibilities of the Languages Commissioner;
9. i) examine and consider other acts that have reference to the official languages of the Northwest Territories; and
10. j) evaluate official language act policies and programs in other jurisdiction.

3. Upon the conclusion of these considerations, the special committee shall provide the Legislative Assembly with interim reports and a final report to determine whether or not the act requires revisions regarding:

1. a) the objectives of the act;
2. b) changes to any provisions of the act;
3. c) changes to current and related policies; and
4. d) the implications of the Education Act, The Jury Act and other territorial legislation.

4. The special committee is committed to working in partnership with the Languages Commissioner and Office of the Languages Commissioner who shall provide all reasonable assistance to the special committee, including acting in an advisory capacity, providing relevant studies or reports and forwarding information, concerns or issues raised by the public regarding language legislation;

5. The special committee shall establish processes for providing information and affording the Northwest Territories residents an opportunity to make their views known;

6. The special committee shall have access to such persons, papers and records as necessary to the conduct of its business;

7. The special committee shall be provided through appropriations with adequate funds to carry out its terms of reference and assigned responsibilities;

8. The special committee is authorized to employ such staff and/or consultants, and contractors as may be necessary, to carry out its responsibilities;

9. The special committee may consider other matters referred to it by the Legislative Assembly; and

10. The special committee may make recommendations it considers desirable through interim and a final report.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.