Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly has enacted the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act;

AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly has the inherent power to control its own proceedings, privileges or prerogatives;

AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly has established the Board of Management to be responsible for the overall management and direction of the Office of the Legislative Assembly and to comply with its statutory requirements;

AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly may establish such standing and special committees to aid and advise it as it considers necessary;

AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly has the power to discipline its Members and the right to regulate its own internal affairs;

AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly has provided for the obligations of Members that they shall perform their duties of office and arrange their private affairs in such a manner as to maintain public confidence and trust in the integrity, objectivity and impartiality of the Member;

AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly recommends to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories the appointment of Statutory Officers to exercise powers and perform duties as provided for in Statutes of the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly recommends the appointment of a Conflict of Interest Commissioner;

AND WHEREAS in accordance with its authority contained in the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, the Board of Management was considering the matter of the application filed with the Board of Management by the Member for Hay River South, the Honourable Jane Groenewegen;

AND WHEREAS there is a question as to the capacity of the Board of Management to continue consideration of the application;

AND WHEREAS the Conflict of Interest Commissioner has requested the direction of the Legislative Assembly concerning the release of her report in the matter of the complaint filed against the Member for Hay River South, the Honourable Jane Groenewegen;

AND WHEREAS it is in the interests of the Legislative Assembly to resolve the matter;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, that the Legislative Assembly, in accordance with Rule 88(1), hereby establishes a special committee to be named the Special Committee on Conflict Process;

AND FURTHER the following Members be named to the special committee:

• • Mr. Brendan Bell, Member for Yellowknife South;
• • Honourable Joseph L. Handley, Member for Weledeh;
• • Mr. Leon Lafferty, Member for North Slave;
• • Mr. J. Michael Miltenberger, Member for Thebacha; and
• • Mr. Floyd Roland, Member for Inuvik Boot Lake.

AND FURTHER not withstanding Rule 88(2), that the following Members be named as alternate members to the special committee:

• • Honourable Jim Antoine, Member for Nahendeh; and
• • Mr. Michael McLeod, Member for Deh Cho.

AND FURTHER that the Legislative Assembly establishes the following as the terms of reference for the Special Committee on Conflict Process as follows:

1. The special committee shall have the authority and is directed to consider all aspects of the application filed by the Member for Hay River South, the Honourable Jane Groenewegen, with the Board of Management on May 7, 2001;
2. The special committee shall have access to such persons, papers and records necessary to the conduct of its business;
3. The special committee shall conduct such hearings and meetings as required to consider all aspects in relation to the application;
4. The special committee is authorized to engage legal counsel and employ such staff as may be necessary to carry out its responsibilities;
5. The special committee shall report to the Legislative Assembly with its findings and recommendations no later than July 23, 2001;
6. The special committee is authorized to provide its report to the Speaker if the Legislative Assembly is not in session. The Speaker shall cause the report to be tabled at the first practicable opportunity;

AND FURTHERMORE, the Legislative Assembly directs the Conflict of Interest Commissioner to suspend any further actions, including but not limited to the submission of the report on the matter of the complaint filed against the Member for Hay River South, the Honourable Jane Groenewegen, until the special committee has reported to the Legislative Assembly and the report has been considered by the Legislative Assembly.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.