Sergeant-at-Arms, escort the witness in. Minister Handley, for the record, could you introduce your witness?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With me are Michael Triggs, corporate secretary/general counsel for the Workers' Compensation Board, and Rebecca Veinott, legislative counsel with the Department of Justice.

Thank you, Minister Handley. Welcome, witnesses. General comments. Ms. Lee.

General Comments

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just have a small general comment to make and it pertains to something that we dealt with in this legislation under Section 6, with respect to whistle-blower protection legislation. It's not really limited to that clause, so I just wanted to bring that up in the general comments. That is, it is my wish in the next Assembly that this legislature would consider having legislation that would protect whistle-blowers in a general sense.

Mr. Chairman, I have been a party to reviewing this legislation in committee meetings and I'm aware that this is limited protection that we're providing for whistle-blowers. Whistle-blowers, that doesn't sound very good, but those that want to bring their concerns and questions with respect to their work place safety are protected under this legislation and under this clause. So we are in a limited way dealing with those who want to bring concerns and questions about safety issues in their work place, but we have a vacuum in the general sense and in all other work places. Not just those situations dealing with safety, but in many work environments, whether they be in situations where there are serious safety concerns.

It's reasonable to think of a lot of people who are in work places who see things that are not proper, maybe, or above board or something that concerns them. We do not have legislation that protects that situation. I think it would be very good for this or the next Assembly or this government to consider bringing something like that. I'm sure there are Members here who might have had a constituent who brought concerns about what's happening in their work place.

I am also aware that many of the big corporations in the Territories -- I was talking to them -- have their own sort of internal system in place where their employees could report to their management about some of the ideas or concerns they might have. I do believe there are lots of jurisdictions around the world and perhaps in Canada who have such legislation and it really speaks to addressing the need for any employers or people in power or people in a position of influence to be accountable and transparent to those people who work with them or over people whose wellbeing and welfare is in their custody.

I just wanted to add that unfinished business and try to put it on the agenda for the next Assembly. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Minister Handley.

Mr. Chairman, I think a lot of jurisdictions do have that sort of whistle-blower legislation that Ms. Lee is referring to. I think the best we can do right now is make a commitment to include that recommendation in a transition document for the next government to take a look at it.

Ms. Lee.

Thank you very much. This is a really good time to work in this Assembly because you do get lots of good responses. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the Minister's quick response to have his advisors and staff consider this issue and add it into the transitional document for the next Assembly to consider. Thank you very much. I appreciate that.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. General comments. Bill 23. Clause by clause.

Clause 1.

Clause 2.

Clause 3.

Clause 4. Minister Handley.

The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Clause 4 as amended.

Clause 5.