Thank you, committee. I’d like to thank our guests here this evening. Ms. Salvador and Mr. Vician, thank you for joining us and, of course, the Minister. With that, I’ll get the Sergeant-at-Arms, if you can please escort the witnesses out of the Chamber.

What is the wish of committee? Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move we report progress.

---Carried

I will now rise and report progress. Thank you.

Can I have the report of Committee of the Whole, Mr. Dolynny?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your committee has been considering Tabled Document 188-17(5), NWT Main Estimates 2015-2016, and would like to report progress. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you.

Thank you. Do we have a seconder to the motion? Mr. Blake.

---Carried

Item 23, third reading of bills.

Before we end our day, I will now rise and make my ruling on the point of order raised in this House on Wednesday, February 4th , by the Member for Hay

River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Mrs. Groenewegen’s point of order was that Mr. Hawkins, in asking questions to Minister Miltenberger, made derogatory comments respecting a business that is not in a position to defend itself on the floor of this House.

We have encountered instances in the past where Members have been called to order for referencing individuals that are not Members of this House and, therefore, not able to defend themselves publicly. It is against our rules to make insulting or damaging remarks about people who cannot respond directly. This has been clearly established in rulings I have made as well as previous rulings from Speaker Gargan and Speaker Delorey. However, it is common practice in this House to refer to the actions undertaken by businesses operating within our territory.

In responding to the point of order, Mr. Hawkins stated that he had not named a particular company and that the issues he raised regarding corporate profits is public information. It is always difficult to evaluate the context or intent of words spoken by a Member, but after careful review of Mr. Hawkins’ comments as set out in the unedited Hansard from February 4, 2015, as well as his remarks during debate on the point of order, I conclude that there is no point of order. In absence of clearly stated allegations against an individual not present in this House, I defer to the freedom of speech we all enjoy as Members.

I would, however, like to take this opportunity to caution Members with regard to statements they make in this House. While a particular statement or question may not strictly contravene our rules or

constitute unparliamentary language, it may have other unintended consequences. All Members of this House are protected by parliamentary privilege when they rise to speak. The onus is on each of us to exercise this right with responsibility, wisdom and sensitivity to the impact our words may have on the people and communities we all represent.

Thank you, Members. Mr. Clerk, orders of the day.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until Monday, February 16th , at 1:30 p.m.

---ADJOURNMENT

The House adjourned at 6:02 p.m.