Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Thursday, October 22, 2009, I will move the following motion: Whereas, on June 3, 2009, the Legislative Assembly adopted Motion 21-16(3) as amended, directing the Standing Committee on Social Programs to conduct a review of the Child and Family Services Act and its implementation and to present the committee findings to the House at the earliest opportunity; and whereas, the motion also directed the Standing Committee on Social Programs to prepare additional terms of reference for the review of the act and its implementation and to present the terms of reference to the House at the first opportunity during the October 2009 sitting of the Assembly; now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that the terms of reference for the review of the Child and Family Services Act be established as follows:

1. The Standing Committee on Social Programs

shall examine the following: a. the achievement of the objectives as

stated in the preamble of the act;

b. the

administration

and implementation of

the act, in particular where child protection apprehension is considered;

c. the effectiveness of the provisions in the

act, including the assignment of the scope of independent powers to the child protection workers and the general oversight of the NWT child protection services;

d. the use of alternative dispute resolution

methods such as mediation, conciliation, arbitration and case settlement conferences to avoid child apprehension and adversarial court proceedings wherever possible;

e. the supports required to fully implement

the community child and family services committees as provided for by the act;

f. the community supports available for

families and children to prevent apprehensions;

g. the gaps in care and services for youth

between 16 and 19 years of age;

h. concerns regarding frivolous complaints;

and

i. the potential role, responsibilities and

powers of a territorial child advocate.

2. The Standing Committee on Social Programs

shall, during its examination, consider the following: a. incorporation and respect for aboriginal

values, beliefs and approaches to conflict resolution;

b. real or perceived racial undertones in child

protection investigations and apprehensions;

c.

complexity of family law issues;

d. potential conflicts between federal and

territorial legislation; and

e. discrepancies in the supports and

resources available to the different parties in court proceedings.

3. The Standing Committee on Social Programs

shall have access to such persons, papers and records as necessary for the conduct of this review.

4. The Standing Committee on Social Programs

shall be provided, through appropriations of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, with the necessary administrative and professional support to carry out its terms of reference and assigned responsibilities as they relate to this review.

5. The Standing Committee on Social Programs

may make recommendations for amendments to the act that it considers desirable through a final report.

6. The Standing Committee on Social Programs

shall table a final report on the review no later than October 2010.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.