Mr. Speaker, the committee is disappointed that the two reports the commissioner had announced during the review of her last year’s annual report had not been received. During the review of the 2006–2007 annual report, the commissioner announced that the report on language services in health care facilities will be tabled during the May-June session of 2008. The commissioner provided no timelines or details relating to her previous announced report on advertising requirements.
As the committee discussed with the commissioner, the responsibility for the promotion of the official languages rests with the Minister. The committee urges the commissioner to exercise her powers and make full use of her mandate, which, as outlined in section 20 of the Official Languages Act, includes ensuring recognition of the rights, status and privileges of each of the official languages in compliance with the spirit and intent of the act in the administration of the affairs of government
institutions in conducting investigations on her own initiative.
In the 2006–2007 annual report, the commissioner makes two recommendations.
Languages Commissioner recommendation 1: That the Legislative Assembly and GNWT adopt uniform policy in regard to the development of web sites, including the languages in which web site materials are available. The committee discussed this recommendation with interest but decided that the further considerations need to include existing government policies addressing visual identity, communication, web site protocols and official languages. Furthermore, cost implications and the availability of resources would need to be taken into account.
Committee recommendation: The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends the GNWT conduct a review on its web site policies and report back on whether the web site policy is in compliance with the official languages policies, guidelines and legislation.
Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to pass the report over to Mr. Abernethy.