Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to briefly update Members on recent decisions the government has made concerning its response to the recommendations of the Special Committee on the Review of the Official Languages Act. The committee's report made some very detailed recommendations that may result in changes to government structures and responsibilities under the Official Languages Act. These are changes that will affect this and future governments. We believe it is necessary to consider these recommendations very carefully.
At the same time, the committee has made some very useful recommendations on matters that will be relatively easy to address. Earlier this week Bill 28, An Act to Amend the Official Languages Act, was read for the first time. The government's intent in introducing this bill was to make some of those simpler changes right now while still considering how best to implement the rest of the committee's recommendations
Yesterday, the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and I had an opportunity to meet with the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight to discuss this bill. During that meeting, Members expressed the desire to see the government address the recommendations of the special committee in a more comprehensive and integrated way. Following consultation with Cabinet, government has agreed that we will not proceed with second reading of Bill 28.
Instead, we will take advantage of the next few months to prepare a new bill for introduction in the fall sitting of the legislature. This bill will address the establishment of an aboriginal languages board and the reassignment of responsibilities for languages promotion consistent with the special committee's recommendations. We will also ensure that, as with all legislation, while one Minister is responsible for implementing the act, the act applies to all government departments, boards and agencies.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to supporting official languages of the Northwest Territories. We recognize the value of the work being done by the special committee and will continue to work on implementing its recommendations and we look forward to working with all Members on this important task. We will continue to advise you of our progress. Thank you.
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