Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our ninth priority was harmonization.

The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight supported the initial objective of the harmonization strategy to assess income in the same manner in all NWT departments and agencies. However, Members became concerned when issues were raised during implementation that the process was not perceived to be fair to all affected parties. Consequently, a motion to establish a working group of 14th Assembly Regular Members and Ministers to review the harmonization strategy was adopted by the Legislative Assembly with a deadline for implementation of April 2004.

The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight would like to remind the 15th Legislative Assembly that a deadline of April 2004 was set for the implementation of the harmonization strategy.

Our tenth priority was "to advocate for reduced cost of living for residents."

The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight continued to advocate for reduced living costs for northern residents by discouraging increases to fees and taxes that would add a burden to northern residents, and by supporting amendments to the Income Tax Act to benefit both individuals and northern businesses by:

• • Supporting amendments to the Income Tax Act to increase the deductions and credits and a minimum cost of living tax credit for individuals.
• • Supported amendments to the Income Tax Act to reduce the general corporate income tax rate and the small business income tax rate.

Our eleventh priority was "to support the development of prevention measures and promote awareness of the detrimental effects of FAS/FAE."

The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight took the lead to organize a theme day to raise awareness about what is now called Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. All committee Members spoke on the issue, as did many Cabinet Ministers.