Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight met on December 6, 2006, to review the 2005-2006 Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner. The committee would like to thank Ms. Shannon Gullberg, the Languages Commissioner, for appearing before us.
The committee was pleased to hear that some of the previous goals of the Commissioner are at or near completion, in particular the Commissioner's new website and the development of printed information about the complaints process in aboriginal languages. The new website will be fully bilingual in English and French and will provide some information in all aboriginal official languages of the Northwest Territories.
In our previous report, we encouraged the Commissioner to step up her efforts to publicize her office, particularly by undertaking community visits to meet with stakeholders and to raise public awareness about her office. Therefore, we were pleased to hear of the Commissioner's plans to visit Rae, Behchoko; Hay River; Inuvik; and, Fort Smith in early 2007 to conduct community and school meetings and to visit health centres.
The committee is also looking forward to receiving the two reports the Commissioner referred to in her presentation, namely a report regarding advertising requirements and a report on language services in health care facilities.
At several points in the report, the Commissioner directs comments at the Legislative Assembly or recommends that the Legislative Assembly take certain actions. These comments incorrectly suggest that the Legislative Assembly has responsibilities, which are in fact under the authority of the government. For example, on page 15 of the report, she states that: "The Legislative Assembly's approach to the issue of communication with the public has been uncoordinated and chaotic." The Commissioner then discusses amendments to section 11 of the act regarding communication with the public. Although the Speaker and the Legislative Assembly retain some authorities under the act, for example, the appointment of the Commissioner and the ultimate approval of bills to amend the act, the authority to make regulations resides with the Commissioner in Executive Council, which is effectively the Government of the Northwest Territories. As well, it is the government, and not the Legislative Assembly, which introduces bills to amend the act.