Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My written question is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

In 2003, the Aurora Research Institute convened a workshop on social and cultural issues in the Northwest Territories. Participants included representatives from all the regions in the Northwest Territories, including both governments and community groups. Some southern Canadian-based researchers who had experience in the social and cultural research in the NWT were invited, as were members of the three Canadian research funding agencies. The research addressed the following questions: How does research conducted in the Northwest Territories meet the needs of NWT residents? How can northerners participate in and include research in the communities? How can northern capacity for conducting social and cultural issues be enhanced and how can northern and southern researchers work together respectively and productively?

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. I am going to rule that question out of order as a written question. It's not a question that requires a lot of in depth detail.

---Ruled Out of Order

Written questions. Returns to written questions. Replies to opening address. Petitions. Reports of standing and special committees. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to report on the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight's Report of the Review of the Human Rights Commission 2005-2006 Annual Report.

Introduction

The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight met on February 14, 2007, to review the 2005-2006 Annual Report of the NWT Human Rights Commission. The committee would like to thank Ms. Mary Pat Short, chair of the Human Rights Commission, and Ms. Therese Boullard, director of human rights, for appearing before us.

The 2005-2006 annual report does not include any recommendations, however, the committee would like to take the opportunity to comment on other issues that were discussed during our public meeting.

The 2005-2006 annual report was the second report of the Human Rights Commission since its establishment on July 1, 2004.

The committee was pleased to hear of the progress the commission has made in raising awareness about human rights through its website, public service announcements and community meetings. In particular, we would like to congratulate the commission for the success of their public service announcements in partnership with the Yukon Human Rights Commission, one of which won an award at the Houston International Film Festival.

We acknowledge the commission's efforts to bring education and awareness workshops on human rights and the NWT Human Rights Act to all regions of the Northwest Territories. The committee supports visits to smaller communities, as they will give commission members a chance to increase their understanding of traditional approaches to human rights and to ensure residents of smaller communities are aware of their rights under the act.

The committee was pleased to hear that the commission met with elders from the Deh Cho region and suggests further work with elders from other communities will assist in building valuable bridges.

We encourage the commission to continue expanding its efforts to make the public aware of human rights issues and underline the importance of making it as easy as possible to obtain information and to make complaints in all official languages.

In last year's report, the commission made two recommendations for amendments to the Human Rights Act, one regarding systemic remedies, the other regarding discrimination on the basis of unrelated criminal convictions. In its response, the government provides reasons why it considers both recommendations inadvisable. The committee was interested in hearing the commission's opinion on the GNWT's reply. Due to the timing of the tabling of the GNWT response and the 2005-2006 annual report, it was not possible for the commission to evaluate the reply before appearing for the public hearing with the committee.

The commission indicated that their members will discuss the response soon and that they would be happy to share the outcome with Members. We are looking forward to a follow-up and further discussions with representatives of the Human Rights Commission.

Conclusion

The committee commends the commission's work and achievements to date and looks forward to monitoring the continued evolution of human rights in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, that concludes the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight's committee report on the review of the Human Rights Commission 2005-2006 Annual Report.

I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Sahtu, that Committee Report 1-15(6) be received and adopted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The motion is on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Committee Report 1-15(6) has been received and adopted.

Reports of standing and special committees. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to report on the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures. This is our report on referred matters.

Background

On October 26, 2006, the Speaker referred two issues to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures.

The first issue related to the amount of time available for Members' statements by a Member speaking in more than one official language.

The second referred issue was the addition of a section entitled "Acknowledgements" to the daily order of business in the Assembly.

Process And Review Of Current Canadian Practices

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures held an initial meeting on December 4, 2006, to review background information and parliamentary practices in other Canadian jurisdictions.

The committee agreed on the need to address these issues and provided direction to staff to prepare changes to the rules and a motion for the House, implementing the proposed rule changes.

The proposed rule changes and a draft motion were reviewed and approved by the committee at a meeting held on February 14, 2007, and presented to Caucus for their input at the February 20, 2007, meeting.

Findings

Extending Time Available For Members' Statements

A review of the practices in other Canadian jurisdictions revealed that the current time allotted to Members for Members' statements is, along with Nunavut, the most generous in Canada. It was noted that every Member, including the Ministers, is afforded the opportunity to make a statement if they wish. Most other Canadian jurisdictions limit the number of Members who may make a statement each day, or put a set limit on the time period available for Members' statements.

The committee recognizes the right of any Member to use any of the official languages of the Northwest Territories in the Assembly. The Member for Monfwi made a solid case for the need for increased time to make a Member's statement when speaking more than one official language. Mr. Lafferty pointed out that it was difficult to express complex ideas in two languages within the time allotted and to do justice to the statement in either language.

It was determined that an extra thirty extra seconds of time, thus allowing a Member speaking in more than one official language three minutes to complete a statement, would be sufficient. Further discussion determined that for the Speaker to be able to manage appropriate time allocations, he would require advance notice of a Member desiring to give a Member's statement in more than one official language. In addition, to ensure the rule change was used for the purpose it was intended, a Member making a statement in more than one language must speak for at least thirty seconds in a second language.

"Acknowledgements" Added To The Order Paper

There are provisions in some Canadian jurisdictions, notably New Brunswick, that allow "messages of condolence," with prior approval of the Speaker. As well, some jurisdictions provide an item entitled "congratulatory messages." The Yukon has an item on their Order Paper entitled "tributes" that allows for the recognition of special days and accomplishments in the lives of Yukoners.

The committee discussed the need for an item called "acknowledgements" on the daily order paper. It was agreed that Members need a way to recognize the significant accomplishments and milestones in the lives of northerners. It was determined that thirty seconds would be sufficient time. The committee was also of the opinion that any recognition must be directed at a Member's own constituents and that advance notice of the content and focus of the acknowledgement be provided to the Speaker. The use of "acknowledgements" would be allowed at the sole discretion of the Speaker.

The committee decided to focus "acknowledgements" on the Member's own constituents in order to avoid duplication. Should a Member wish to acknowledge a northerner who is not a constituent in the Assembly, opportunity already exists by way of a Member's statement.

In order to ensure that the process is managed properly and reflects the decorum of the House, guidelines were developed to assist the Speaker in administering this item.

These guidelines will allow acknowledgements for the recognition of:

1. a) birthdays at the age of 80 and every five years thereafter;
2. b) anniversaries at 50 years and every five years thereafter;
3. c) death of constituent;
4. d) graduations; and
5. e) significant accomplishments or awards.

Mr. Speaker, committee makes two recommendations.

Recommendation 1

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that the rules of the Legislative Assembly be amended to allow people speaking in more than one official language three minutes to conclude their Member's statement.

Recommendation 2

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that the rules of the Legislative Assembly be amended to include an item on the daily Order Paper entitled "acknowledgements" and that appropriate guidelines be developed to assist the Speaker and all Members.

Conclusion

The committee wishes to express its appreciation to all Members for their thoughtful insights and feedback. The committee is confident these changes will better serve the needs of all Members and this institution.

Mr. Speaker, that concludes the Report of the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures on Referred Matters.

I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that Committee Report 2-15(6) be received and adopted. Merci beaucoup, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The motion is on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Committee Report 2-15(6) has been received and adopted.

Reports of standing and special committees. Reports of committees of the review of bills. Tabling of documents. The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bell.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the document entitled Energy for the Future: An Energy Plan for the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Tabling of documents. The honourable Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled NWT Greenhouse Gas Strategy 2007-2011: A Strategy to Control Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, I also wish to table a document entitled NWT Youth Forum 2007. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Tabling of documents. The honourable Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table a document entitled Workers' Advisor Office, Northwest Territories and Nunavut 2006 Annual Report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Tabling of documents. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Liquor Commission, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled NWT Liquor Commission and NWT Liquor Licensing Board 2005-2006 Annual Report.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Tabling of documents. The honourable Minister responsible for the public service, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled GNWT Public Service 2006 Annual Report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Tabling of documents. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to table this document entitled Science Meets Traditional Knowledge, Water and Climate in the Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Tabling of documents. Notices of motion. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday, March 16, 2007, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Rule 36 (3) and (4) be deleted in their entirety and the following be substituted:

36(3) Statements made under Rule 36(1):

1. (a) in the case of a Member speaking in one official language, shall not exceed two and one half minutes;
2. (b) in the case of a Member speaking in more than one official language, shall not exceed three minutes, and that the Member shall speak at least thirty seconds in the second official language;
3. (c) shall be confined to one matter; and
4. (d) shall be limited to one statement per day by any Member.

(4) A Member wishing to make a Member's statement in more than one official language must notify the Speaker, in writing, at least one hour prior to making his or her statement.

(5) A Minister may make a statement in accordance with Rule 36(1) but the statement must not relate to his or her responsibility as a Minister.

And further that the following rule entitled Acknowledgements be added immediately after Rule 36.1:

36.2(1)Under the item Acknowledgements, the Member may make a statement recognizing a significant milestone or accomplishment of a constituent.

(2) Acknowledgements made under Rule 36.2(1)

1. (a) shall not exceed thirty seconds;
2. (b) shall be limited to one acknowledgement per day by any Member;
3. (c) shall be provided in writing to the Speaker at least one hour prior to the commencement of the sitting day;
4. (d) shall be allowed at the sole discretion of the Speaker; and
5. (e) shall be confined to the Member's own constituents.

And further that Rule 27(1), (2) and (3) be amended by adding the item entitled Acknowledgements to the orders of the day, to immediately follow the item entitled Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.

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

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Notices of motion. Notices of motion for first reading of bills. Motions. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.