Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of Health and Social Services, in her opening comments to her budget, responded to the motion that was put forward to this House last week, and many Members were quite enthused by the Minister’s willingness to move the effective date of that supplementary change to April 1, 2010.

Mr. Speaker, when a person takes time to closely read the actual words in the statement, it says things like “follow policy’s intent.” I want to get an understanding from the Minister, what is the policy’s intent and objectives that the Minister will be proceeding forward with and will Members be given the framework or synopsis of the government’s positions on how they plan to proceed forward with that intent?

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Lee.

Mr. Speaker, the stated intent of the policy is that we want to have supplementary health benefit coverage that is fair and equitable to our residents. The announcement that I made yesterday, as well days before, is that we are going to delay the implementation of the plan until April 1, 2010, when we will have an opportunity to have full and open consultation on proposed changes, and that I am committing again to the House that we will have a very open, fair and full consultation on this policy and policy changes. Thank you.

Well, I’m really glad to hear the phrase “fair and equitable”. I just want to be clear. Can we get something on paper that demonstrates the guidelines that this consultation will be taken forward? For certainty, Mr. Speaker, when the petitions came forward and the positioning came forward, it talked about eliminating the thresholds. Is that the type of discussions that are up for discussion? Is there a possibility that that will be removed in this type of consultation? Thank you.

I stated yesterday, and I state again, that I will be coming forward to the Standing

Committee on Social Programs on the outline, and timeline, and the framework for the consultation that is to take place. That has not been decided; it’s being worked on. As I’ve already indicated, I’m open to people bringing forward their ideas and views about the proposed changes, and also to have exchange of information in a full and transparent manner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The time for question period has expired; however, I will allow the Member a supplementary question. Mr. Hawkins.

It’s only more about the technical sort of process, because I wouldn’t want there being language here in your statement that we could turn around later on down the road and say, but see? This is what we really meant. I guess the fear in the constituency and, certainly with myself here, is the fact that there...I just want to make sure that there’s fair consultation and the good ideas put forward are being considered with a clean sheet of paper as opposed to there’s already a scripted consultation already designed and this is more optics. That’s really the fear out there and we just want to make sure that every idea and suggestion on this policy update is being put on the table for discussion. Thank you.

Yes, that’s what we are proposing to do.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to opening address. Item 11, replies to the budget address, day five of seven. Item 12, petitions. Item 13, reports of standing and special committees. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures is pleased to provide its report on the use of laptop computers and Blackberry devices in the Legislative Assembly and commends it to the House.

Introduction

The Members of the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures met several times to discuss the

use of laptop computers and Blackberry-type devices in the Assembly and committee meetings. The discussions were initiated after the Board of Management of the Legislative Assembly referred the question about the use of laptop computers and Blackberry-type devices to the standing committee for recommendations. The referring letter is attached as Appendix A.

Practices In Other Legislative Assemblies

The practices in Legislative Assemblies across Canada were reviewed and are presented in Table 1, attached as Appendix B. It is evident that the use of laptop computers and Blackberry-type devices varies widely. It is also evident that the use of laptop computers in Legislative Assemblies has greatly increased over the last several years.

The Purpose Of Laptops And Blackberries

Many Members consider their laptops and/or their Blackberries as tools that allow them to work in a more efficient and effective manner. They want to prepare their notes on computers. They want to refer to documents and calendars on their laptops and Blackberries. The use of laptops can support a reduction in the use of paper copies and an increasing use of e-documents in both the Assembly and standing committees.

For many Members, the use of Blackberries is considered to be similar to the use of cell phones. Members acknowledge that they cannot engage in conversations on their cell or Blackberry in the Assembly or committee meetings and the device has to be set on vibrating or silent mode. The use of any communication device cannot be disruptive or distracting to other Members.

The move toward the increased use of laptops in committees and/or the Assembly would require the installation of additional technical infrastructure in committee rooms and the Legislative Assembly Chamber, in order to support network and Internet connections.

The move towards increased use of e-documents in Committees and/or the Assembly would also require the development of new operational procedures, such as SharePoint websites, to support access and maintain confidentiality of some documents.

Recommendation 1

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that Members be permitted to use laptops during Committee of the Whole proceedings for the winter 2009 session only, after which their use will be evaluated. Communication devices cannot be used by a Member who has the floor. A

Member who has the floor must have his laptop closed.

Recommendation 2

The standing committee recommends that the Board of Management and the Office of the Clerk examine the issues related to:

a) the purchase of laptop computers for

Members;

b) planning and installation of additional

infrastructure to support the connections; and

c) planning for the changes to operational

procedures and websites, et cetera, to support the increased use of e-documents in committees and the Assembly and return with a plan and schedule to develop and implement the changes.

Recommendation 3

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends to other standing committees that:

a) the use of Blackberries be permitted in a

manner similar to cell phones; that is, disruption of Members’ activities is not allowed;

b) the use of laptops be permitted; and

c) committee staff be permitted to use

laptops.

Mr. Speaker, that concludes the Report of the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures on the Use of Laptop Computers and Blackberry Devices in the Legislative Assembly.

Therefore, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that Committee Report 3-16(3) be received by the Assembly and moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration.

---Carried

Committee Report 3-16(3) will be moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration.

Item 14, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 15, tabling of documents. Item 16, notices of motion. Item 17, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 18, motions. Item 19, first reading of bills. Item 20, second reading of bills.

Item 21, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Tabled Document 7-16(3), Ministerial Benefits Policy; Committee Report 2-16(3), Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on Matters Referred to the Committee; Tabled Document 11-16(3), NWT Main Estimates 2009-2010; Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Historical Resources Act; Bill 3, International Interest in Mobile Aircraft Equipment Act; Bill 4, Public Library Act; Bill 5, Professional Corporations Act; Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, with Mr. Krutko in the chair.

I call Committee of the Whole to order. In consideration in Committee of the Whole we have several items: Tabled Document 7-16(3), Committee Report 2-16(3), Tabled Document 11-16(3), and Bills 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7. What is the wish of the committee? Mrs. Groenewegen?

The wish of the committee is to proceed with the consideration of the budget for the Department of Health and Social Services.

Is committee agreed?

With that, we will begin with Health and Social Services after a short break.

---SHORT RECESS

I’ll call Committee of the Whole to order. At this time I would like to ask the Minister if she’d like to bring in her witnesses. Ms. Lee.

Yes, please. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Does committee agree the Minister brings in her witnesses?

Sergeant-at-Arms, escort the witnesses in.

For the record, Ms. Lee, can you introduce your witnesses?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, to my left is Mr. Dana Heide, acting deputy minister of Health and Social Services, and to my right is Mr. Derek Elkin, director of finance. Thank you.