Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The Minister of Justice, Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand the Member’s comments, and I understand the desire for Members to have access to all information that the Government of the Northwest Territories has, but I can’t stress enough that individuals do have a right to privacy, as do corporations. We do have a process where Members who need or desire specific information can request information, and if we, as Members and Ministers on this side, know who it’s coming from, we’re certainly happy to work with the Members to provide as much information as we

can. But there will be situations where there are individuals or corporations who have specific information that they have a right to have private, and we have to all, as Members, respect that.

My question didn’t ask for a schooling on the rule of law here. My question simply is: When will the Justice department begin a comprehensive review of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, which was recently recommended by the Information and Privacy Commissioner and, as well, by the Standing Committee on Government Operations?

The standing committee made a number of recommendations with respect to the ATIPP Act, and recommendation number three asked the exact question that the Member is asking here today. In our response, which was tabled earlier this week, we indicated that we are doing that detailed progress report, and we will certainly have that to the committee within this current fiscal year.

Recognizing that individuals do have a right to privacy and there is certainly information that individuals and corporations may not want in the public sphere, including in the hands of MLAs, we are happy to work with committee on this request.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Dolynny.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister’s response. The Minister mentioned earlier about a progress report, but will the Minister ensure that a complete review of the ATIPP Act is completed in time for all amendments to come forward within the life of the 17th Assembly?

If that is the wish of committee, we are happy to work with them.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Colleagues, before we continue on with Members’ oral questions, I’d like to welcome Mr. Geoff Wiest, chair of the Independent Commission on Members’ Compensation and Benefits; and Mr. David Krutko, a former Member and member of the commission. Welcome to the House.

The Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.