Thank you, Mr. Chairman, colleagues. I am pleased to present the Legislative Assembly's 2003-2004 main estimates.

The Legislative Assembly is proposing a total operation expense of $14.432 million for the coming fiscal year.

Mr. Chairman, I think it's important to indicate that the Board of Management, in preparing the business plan and main estimates, is guided by the input of Members and I hope it's representative of your needs. Ultimately your direction, either by legislation, regulations or policy determines the level of financial and human resources necessary to provide services to Members and for the day-to-day administration of the Legislative Assembly offices. The board and the Clerk's office are always looking for ways improve the quality and level of services and we remain committed to providing those services in a cost-effective, open, transparent and accountable manner which is what the people of this territory deserve and expect of its elected Assembly.

I would like to remind Members that the appropriations of the Legislative Assembly provide funding for the statutory officers of the Assembly. Funding is provided to the offices of the languages commissioner, the conflict of interest commissioner, information and privacy commissioner and the chief electoral officer.

During the 2003-2004 fiscal year the implementation of the new Human Rights Act will take shape. There is no funding currently identified to fully implement the new act but I can assure Members that we will be coming forward for supplementary funding early in the new year to begin the implementation phase of the new Human Rights Act.

Mr. Chairman, I am sure I do not have to remind you that the proposed main estimates before you today cover the dissolution of the 14th Assembly and the transition to the 15th Legislative Assembly. In an election year, there are increased costs for the conduct of the general election, which will not be required in subsequent fiscal years. There are also some reductions in costs as, traditionally, committees' activities taper off and Members' budgets and allowances are prorated in an election year. However, it would appear that the government has a number of legislative initiatives that may negate the historical reductions we can make in an election year. I can assure Members that there will be sufficient funding for committees as they carry out their responsibilities in the months leading up to this general election. The main estimates before you today, Mr. Chairman, contain a number of forced growth items including:

• • $434,000 for the office of the chief electoral officer to continue preparations for the conduct of the November general election;
• • $160,500 transition allowance for retiring or non-returning Members;
• • $21,000 for orientation for the Members of the 15th Legislative Assembly;
• • $34,600 overall increase to Members' constituency budgets, which is now tied to the consumer price index;
• • $40,000 for furniture and equipment for the new Members of the 15th Assembly.

Mr. Chairman and colleagues, heading into the transition to a new Assembly, always makes for a hectic period of time for MLAs and for our staff as well as the numerous government officials that support our work. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the dedicated work of the staff of the Legislative Assembly and the Government of the Northwest Territories. It takes a dedicated staff and civil service to provide the work we do as a Legislature and government.

I would like to advise Members that we have had a productive last year with an increase in the number of events in the Great Hall and our Caucus Room. These events bring in people from all walks of life, from across the territory, Canada and internationally which serves to enhance our exposure and to promote the NWT.

Mr. Chairman, the Speaker's office will continue to take steps to enhance the cultural diversity of our Legislature and you will see the results of our efforts when we sit later this year, when our Pages will be wearing new uniforms. The uniforms are the result of the work of a number of northern artists, Susan Marie, Darcy Moses and Karen Wright-Fraser. The Speaker's office has also been working on the development of a cultural enhancement program for the Legislative Assembly building. We hope Members will see these two initiatives as enhancements to the appearance of this wonderful facility.

Again, Mr. Chairman, and colleagues, the Board of Management has made every effort to address the needs of the Legislative Assembly and has endeavoured to secure the level of financial and human resources necessary to meet these demands. However, the board and my office, like Members, are ultimately responsible for the decisions we make collectively, as elected representatives of the people of the NWT.

I look forward to the Members' comments and questions. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.