Mr. Speaker, I have two documents for tabling. First, Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled Tlicho Agreement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As well, Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled Tlicho Agreement Implementation Plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 10, tabling of documents. Mr. McLeod.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled Minister of Transportation's Annual Report on the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act (1990) for 2003. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 10, tabling of documents. Item 11, notices of motion. Mr. Villeneuve.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, January 22nd, 2004, I will move the following motion: NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that the rules of the Legislative Assembly be amended by rescinding Rule 85(2) and substituting the following:(2) The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight shall;

1. a) Review issues which have government-wide implications, including the overview of the budget and fiscal framework;
2. b) Review multi-year business plans, budgets and those of the department of the Executive, including the Executive offices, the Financial Management Board Secretariat, the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs and the Department of Finance;
3. c) Consider the budgets and financial management of any other boards and agencies that are outside the responsibility of any standing committee;
4. d) Examine the reports on the annual financial statements and public accounts of the Government of the Northwest Territories and the report of the Auditor General.

(i) In the event that the Assembly is not in session the Speaker may provide the Auditor General's report and the Minister of Finance may provide public accounts to the committee for review, which may include public hearings in advance of tabling;

1. e) Review government reports on financial and performance results on program and policy evaluations to ensure anticipated outcomes are being achieved and accountability is maximized;
2. f) Review, as necessary or appropriate, the annual and other reports of statutory offices of the Legislative Assembly, including the Commissioner of Official Languages, the Conflict of Interest Commissioner, the Information and Privacy Commissioner, the Equal Pay Commissioner and the Human Rights Commissioner;
3. g) Coordinate House business, scheduling and planning in cooperation with appropriate Cabinet representatives; and,
4. h) Consider any other matters referred by the House.

AND FURTHER that Rule 85(3) be rescinded and the following substituted:

(3) The Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development shall consider the following matters with respect to the departments of Public Works and Services, Municipal and Community Affairs, Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, and Transportation:

1. a) Review multi-year business plans and budgets, bills, and boards and agencies including the Workers' Compensation Board, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, the NWT Development Corporation, the Business Credit Corporation and the Public Utilities Board;
2. b) Review departmental performance, including that of boards and agencies; and,
3. c) Consider any other matter referred by the House.

AND FURTHERMORE that Rule 85(5) be rescinded and the following substituted:

1. (5) The Standing Committee on Social Programs shall consider the following matters with respect to the departments of Health and Social Services, Education, Culture and Employment, Justice, and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation:
2. a) Review multi-year business plans and budgets, bills, boards and agencies, including the Status of Women Council, and programs for Seniors, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities;
3. b) Review departmental performance, including that of boards and agencies; and,
4. c) Consider any other matter referred by the House.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Thank you.

Item 11, notices of motion. Mr. Braden.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, January 22, 2004, I will move the following motion: NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development: Mr. Allen, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes; Mr. Delorey, Member for Hay River North; Mrs. Groenewegen, Member for Hay River South; Mr. Menicoche, Member for Nahendeh; Mr. Ramsay, Member for Kam Lake; Mr. Villeneuve, Member for Tu Nedhe.

AND FURTHER that the following Members be named alternates to the Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development: Mr. Braden, Member for Great Slave; Mr. Pokiak, Member for Nunakput; Mr. Yakeleya, Member for Sahtu.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Thank you.

Item 11, notices of motion. Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, January 22, 2004, I will move the following motion: NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Social Programs: Mr. Braden, Member for Great Slave; Mr. Hawkins, Member for Yellowknife Centre; Ms. Lee, Member for Range Lake; Mr. Pokiak, Member for Nunakput; Mr. Yakeleya, Member for Sahtu.

AND FURTHER that the following Members be named alternates to the Standing Committee on Social Programs: Mrs. Groenewegen, Member for Hay River South; Mr. Menicoche, Member for Nahendeh; Mr. Villeneuve, Member for Tu Nedhe.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today.

Item 11, notices of motion. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, January 22, 2004, I will move the following motion: NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Nunakput, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures: The Honourable Mr. Bell, Member for Yellowknife South; Mr. Braden, Member for Great Slave; Mr. Delorey, Member for Hay River North; Mr. Hawkins, Member for Yellowknife Centre; Mr. Villeneuve, Member for Tu Nedhe.

AND FURTHER that the following Members be named alternates to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures: Mr. Menicoche, Member for Nahendeh; Mr. Pokiak, Member for Nunakput; Mr. Ramsay, Member for Kam Lake.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today.

Item 11, notices of motion. Item 12, notices of motion for first reading of bills.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Thursday, January 22, 2004, I will move that Bill 1, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2003-2004, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 12, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 13, motions. Mr. Villeneuve.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS Rule 85 of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly prescribe and describe the mandates of the standing committees of the Legislative Assembly;

AND WHEREAS it is desirable to make changes to the mandates of the standing committees to better reflect their work and to equitably apportion responsibilities among committees;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Honourable Member for Kam Lake, that the rules of the Legislative Assembly...

Mr. Villeneuve, are you seeking unanimous consent to deal with your motion?

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to deal with his motion. Are there any nays? You have unanimous consent. Continue.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll try again.

---Laughter

WHEREAS Rule 85 of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly prescribe and describe the mandates of the Standing Committees of the Legislative Assembly;

AND WHEREAS it is desirable to make changes to the mandates of the Standing Committees to better reflect their work and to equitably apportion responsibilities among committees;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that the rules of the Legislative Assembly be amended by rescinding Rule 85(2) and substituting the following:

(2) The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight shall;

a) Review issues which have government-wide implications including the overview of the budget and fiscal framework;

b) Review multi-year business plans, budgets and bills of the Department of the Executive, including the executive offices, the Financial Management Board Secretariat, the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, and the Department of Finance;

c) Consider the budgets and financial management of any other boards and agencies that are outside the responsibility of any standing committee;

d) Examine the reports on the annual financial statements and public accounts of the Government of the Northwest Territories and the report of the Auditor General.

1. (i) In the event that the Assembly is not in session, the Speaker may provide the Auditor General's report and the Minister of Finance may provide the public accounts to the committee for review, which may include public hearings in advance of tabling;
2. e) Review government reports on financial and performance results and program and policy evaluations to ensure anticipated outcomes are being achieved and accountability is maximized;
3. f) Review, as necessary or appropriate, the annual and other reports of statutory officers of the Legislative Assembly, including the Commissioner of Official Languages, the Conflict of Interest Commissioner, the Information and Privacy Commissioner, the Equal Pay Commissioner and the Human Rights Commissioner;
4. g) Coordinate House business scheduling and planning in cooperation with appropriate Cabinet representatives; and

h) Consider any other matter referred by the House.AND FURTHER that Rule 85(3) be rescinded and the following substituted:

(3) The Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development shall consider the following matters with respect to the departments of Public Works and Services, Municipal and Community Affairs, Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, and Transportation:

a) Review multi-year business plans and budgets, bills, and boards and agencies including the Workers' Compensation Board, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, the NWT Development Corporation, the Business Credit Corporation and the Public Utilities Board;

b) Review departmental performance, including that of boards and agencies; and,

c) Consider any other matter referred by the House.

AND FURTHERMORE that Rule 85(5) be rescinded and the following substituted:

(5) The Standing Committee on Social Programs shall consider the following matters with respect to the departments of Health and Social Services, Education, Culture and Employment, Justice, and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation:

a) Review multi-year business plans and budgets, bills, boards and agencies, including the Status of Women Council, and programs for Seniors, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities;

b) Review departmental performance, including that of boards and agencies; and,

c) Consider any other matter referred by the House.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried unanimously.

---Carried

Item 13, motions. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.