Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier in this session, I asked the Minister responsible for the FMBS about the policy that we have today covering e-mail and Internet usage. From his response, I am concerned that there is a need to revisit the policy. He read a line from the policy that said, and I quote from unedited Hansard, February 25, 2003: "The use of this equipment or technology for any other purpose is not appropriate." Mr. Speaker, he then went on to say, again according to Hansard, that: "When inappropriate use is detected, employees are normally advised of this." Mr. Speaker, the policy says no use except business use is acceptable and the Minister has advised us in the House that normally when this happens, employees are advised of it. Later, in speaking to the media, the Minister said the rules are not absolute.

Mr. Speaker, to me that means the policy as it stands is open to manipulation. There is a potential for supervisors to pick and choose when to enforce it. I think that's too arbitrary. It allows for selective enforcement. Right now, the way the policy is written forbids any personal use. Yet, Mr. Speaker, even our telephone policy admits that the GNWT allows, and I quote from that policy: "Employees to have reasonable use of government phones for personal reasons." The entire item covering phone use is about two paragraphs long. There is no question about the policy, as to what is or what is not permitted under it. There is no room for selective enforcement by supervisors. Mr. Speaker, how can the government monitor whether supervisors are selectively dealing with our Internet policy as it now stands? The Minister stated in this House that there have been individuals disciplined under the policy. I am quite sure that other than those few select individuals, there are many others who use the Internet and e-mail for personal reasons.

Mr. Speaker, GNWT employees are using the Internet for personal use, just as they use the telephone for personal reasons. That's a fact. So why not recognize it as being used and come up with a simple and reasonable policy? If we are going to say it's okay some of the time, then let's say that. Perhaps we should say if you are going to use the Internet or e-mail for personal use, use it during coffee breaks or lunch hour or after work. Let's have something that makes sense and is consistent. Let's develop a policy that is simple, reasonable, clear and one that can be monitored across the board. Let's be fair to everyone. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.