Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and colleagues. As a member of the Board of Management representing the Executive Council, I am pleased to introduce Bill 4, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, on behalf of the board.
The bill, Mr. Chairman, amends sections of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act as a result of the recommendations of the October 2001 Report of the Independent Commission on Members Compensation. Members will recall that the House approved the recommendations, and the bill before you implements those decisions.
These amendments provide for:
- • the reimbursement for travel for five additional trips annually to Yellowknife from the home community for a person in the Member's family;
- • the annual change to the constituency work allowance based on the consumer price index;
- • the establishment of an independent commission to consider Members' compensation; and
- • an increase in the indemnity paid to Chairs of standing committees and an indemnity for Chairs of special committees.
Mr. Chairman, I would be pleased, with the assistance of officials, to answer questions.