Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Honourable Joe Handley. Yesterday, I made a statement talking about the contracts process and the contracts listing. I would like to ask the Minister if he will work with the consolidated entities for which he is responsible, like the Workers' Compensation Board and the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, to ensure that their contract payments over $5,000 are publicly listed, just as those for the Government of the Northwest Territories are every quarter? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Finance, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not believe there is any requirement in the legislation for them to do that, but I will certainly take that matter up with the board and, first of all, determine if they are willing to do it voluntarily. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. I think that public scrutiny of contract payments is an important process of an open and accountable government. Those entities that this government is tied to, whether Crown corporations or boards like the Workers' Compensation Board, need to also have everything open. The Minister has said he will discuss this with those boards. Will he commit to getting back to us within the next week as to what their response is? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Finance, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not believe that either the Workers' Compensation Board or the Power Corporation, the two that I am responsible for, are meeting within the next week. I am not sure that I can get back to them. I will take the issue up with the chairperson though and they may be willing to do a phone poll or something. I cannot really guarantee it since they are not likely meeting. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. The time for question period has ended. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to the opening address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. Item 14, notices of motion. Item 15, notices of motion for the first reading of bills. Item 16, motions. Item 17, first reading of bills. The honourable Minister responsible for Finance, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker,

I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 9, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2001-2002, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. There is a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. All those in favour? Thank you. All those opposed? Thank you. The motion is carried. Bill 9 has had first reading. Item 17, first reading of bills. Item 18, second reading of bills. Item 19, consideration in committee of the whole of bills and other matters; Bill 2, Bill 4, Bill 7, Committee Report 1-14(5), Committee Report 2-14(5) and Committee Report 3-14(5) with Mr. Delorey in the chair.

I will call the committee of the whole to order. We have several matters to deal with; Bill 2, Bill 4, Bill 7, Committee Report 1-14(5), Committee Report 2-14(5) and Committee Report 3-14(5). What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I would like to recommend that we continue consideration of Bill 2, and Committee Report 1-14(5), Committee Report 2-14(5) and Committee Report 3-14(5) concurrently to see if we can conclude the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Following that, perhaps consider Bill 7 and then get back into the budget and take a look at the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs.

Thank you. Does the committee agree?

The Chair is calling a short break. We will come back and finish Municipal and Community Affairs. Thank you.

-- Break

I would like to call committee of the whole back to order. We are dealing with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Would the Minister care to bring in witnesses?

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Does the committee agree?

Sergeant-at-Arms, would you escort the witnesses in please? I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all the youth parliamentarians to the Assembly. Welcome.

-- Applause

Mr. Minister, for the record, would you please introduce your witnesses?

Mr. Chairman, on my left is Dave Murray, deputy minister for MACA. On my right is Ms. Gay Kennedy, director of corporate affairs.

Thank you, Mr. Steen. We will continue on where we left off yesterday, page 4-37, Municipal and Community Affairs, grants and contributions, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a committee motion. Mr. Chairman,

I MOVE that this committee recommends that the Minister of Youth portfolio be amalgamated with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs to facilitate and improve funding and program delivery for youth programs.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. We have a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. Mr. Krutko.