Thank you, Mr. Dent. The chair will call a short break and come back and consider Committee Report 14-14(6) followed by Committee Report 15-14(6). Does the committee agree?

Mr. Chairman, Committee Report 14-14(6), first, we've already gone through the detail on this. Maybe just quickly I'll summarize the background and process we used at arriving at this report. We do have some committee motions that committee would like to make, but we'd like to hear if there are any comments from anybody. Just quickly, you'll remember on October 25, 2002 the Assembly instructed the rules committee to undertake a review of the operation and accountabilities of the committee structure and system. The standing committee was instructed to provide a report on those matters to the Assembly no later than June 30th and we did that.

Mr. Chairman, we met initially to consider background information on the evolution of committee structures in the Northwest Territories and then to formulate options on how to best proceed with the review of the structures and systems.

We decided there would be three basic underpinnings to this review: One, that consensus government would continue with the 15th Assembly; two, that the structure, roles and responsibilities of the Assembly and its committees would not change in the face of self-government agreements; and the review of the operations and accountabilities of the committee structure and systems is a separate process from the transitional planning exercise.

So with that, Mr. Chairman, staff was instructed to research and prepare briefing notes on potential committee structures that would lend themselves to the consensus form of government. Staff were also asked to consult with key managers on their thoughts on the current committee structure in relation to the legislative and budgetary processes and to receive input on the potential for changes they see as being beneficial to both committees and the bureaucracy.

In addition, Mr. Chairman, the committee provided direction to staff in the preparation of a survey designed to elicit Members' opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of the current committee structure, as well as their thoughts on the potential changes to committee structures and systems. Since we've been through this before, Mr. Chairman, I won't bother to go back over and reiterate the findings and results of the survey in that level of detail, but I am prepared to move several motions on behalf of the committee. I can do that now if there are no general comments.

Any further general comments? Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just a short general comment. I've had a chance to look at recommendations and the contents of the report. I understand that the committee has worked hard and diligently to report on the work of the committee. I think it's important to note that when this Assembly came into office four years ago, Members got together and discussed and talked and decided on the committee structure. The major committees that we have been working with, accountability and oversight committee - that includes all the other Members -social programs and governance and economic development committees; two key committees that review the budgets and bills of each department. That was a creation based on a decision made by the new Members when we came here.

So I have no reason to think that sort of thing would not happen in the next Assembly and I just want to make it known that nothing suggested to me here is binding on the next Assembly. I know that when there are new Members mixed with old Members and starting out fresh in a new Assembly, I'm sure that the 15th Assembly Members would want to create the organizational system and committee system the way they see fit and the way they think would best meet their needs.

So while I agree with the basic findings of the committee report, as well as the recommendations, I just want to make sure that there's no suggestion that would preclude any new ideas and new suggestions from the Members of the new Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Any further general comments? There being no further general comments, Mr. Bell had some motions to make. Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I do have several motions here. Mr. Chairman, the first one:

I move that this committee recommends that the 15th Assembly examine the assignment of departments between standing committees to ensure balanced committee workload. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

There is a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion.

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

---Carried

Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommends that the committee manual be updated and training sessions for the incoming committee chairpersons and Members on the respective roles and responsibilities be enhanced. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

There is a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion.

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

---Carried

Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommends that the 15th Assembly examine the advantages and disadvantages of streamlining the budgetary review process. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

There is a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion.

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

---Carried

Mr. Bell.

Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommends that the 15th Assembly examine options for engaging standing committees in the early stages of policy development. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

There is a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion.

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

---Carried

Mr. Bell.