I thought that was my role. Thank you.

-- Laughter

That was my job. I notice that there are a few of the chiefs from the aboriginal groups here and I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Members to welcome them to the Assembly and to thank the many people that have come here since we opened the session today. Welcome everyone to your Legislative Assembly.

-- Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to the opening address. Item 10, petitions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition dealing with the matter of hunting restrictions on NWT highway corridors. Mr. Speaker, I have a petition containing 46 signatures from Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson residents. Mr. Speaker, the petition requests that until the NWT Wildlife Act is enacted all hunting restrictions, including those affecting NWT highway corridors, remain unchanged and no new hunting regulations be introduced.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to report that the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight has reviewed Bill 23, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2002, and Bill 24, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act, and wishes to report that Bill 23 is ready for consideration in committee of the whole, as amended and reprinted, and Bill 24 is ready for consideration in committee of the whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 12, reports of committee on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. Item 14, notices of motion. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Wednesday, October 30, 2002, I will move the following motion. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that the 14th Legislative Assembly request the Governor in Council to dissolve the 14th Legislative Assembly by January 31, 2003, to permit the issuance of writs for a general election for the 15th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories;

And further that the Speaker transmit this resolution to the Governor in Council. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Item 14, notices of motion. Notices of motion. Item 15, notices of motion for the first reading of bills. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, October 30, 2002, I will move that Bill 29, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, No. 2, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 15, notices of motion for the first reading of bills. Item 16, motions. Motion 15-14(5), Request for Special Audit by the Auditor General of Canada on the North Slave Correctional Centre. No response. This motion will remain on the order paper for one more day. Item 16, motions. Item 17, first reading of bills. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Minister Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that Bill 28, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act, No. 2, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. We have a motion. The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour, please respond. Thank you. All those opposed? The motion is carried. Bill 28 has had first reading. Item 17, first reading of bills. Item 18, second reading of bills. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to proceed with the second reading of Bill 28, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act, No. 2. Thank you.

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking consent to proceed with the second reading of Bill 28. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Item 18, second reading of bills. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker,

I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that Bill 28, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act, No. 2, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill will allow the Workers' Compensation Board to purchase, lease and dispose of real property and to construct or alter buildings. The approval of the Commissioner and Executive Council is required where the value of the property or construction exceeds $100,000. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. We have a motion. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill. Question has been called. All those in favour, please signify. Thank you. All those opposed? Thank you. The motion is carried. Bill 28 has had second reading. Accordingly, the bill stands referred to a committee.

Item 18, second reading of bills. Item 19, consideration in committee of the whole of bills and other matters; Tabled Document 35-14(5), Bill 1, Bill 22, Bill 26, Committee Report 10-14(5) and Committee Report 11-14(5), with Mr. Krutko in the chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to recommend that committee continue consideration of Committee Report 11-14(5), and if we should conclude that, to then move to Bill 26, followed by concurrent consideration of Bill 1 and Committee Report 10-14(5).

Does the committee agree?

We will begin with Committee Report 11-14(5). General comments? Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There are two issues that I need to speak to as we conclude this debate. The first is the Auditor General's report. I would like to make it clear, I accept the Auditor General's conclusion that the termination agreements with Mr. Bayly and Ms. Sorensen did not conform with our written policies and procedures. I also accept the Auditor General's recommendation that in the future, we adhere to the letter of our agreements and policies or substantiate on record the reasons for deviating from them. This is what she has directed.

I also accept responsibility for the termination packages that were negotiated with Ms. Sorensen and Mr. Bayly.

I also wish to reiterate that line Members of my Cabinet will work with Members of this Legislature to change the policies and procedures and improve upon them where needed.

The second issue I need to speak to is my desire to continue to serve the people of the Northwest Territories as Premier. I believe we have immense priorities and challenges facing us, and we can only face them if we face them together.

Finally, I wish to assure every Member of this House that I want to work with every one of you, in spite of our differences. Leave our differences behind so we can get on with the business of governing this Territory.

-- Applause

Could we have some order in here, please? Mr. Lafferty.

General comments with regard to Committee Report 11-14(5)? Mrs. Groenewegen.