Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled “Public Utilities Board of the Northwest Territories Annual Report for the Year Ending December 31, 2015.”

Mahsi. Tabling of documents. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled “Northwest Territories Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program 2014/15 Annual Report.”

Mahsi. Tabling of documents. Pursuant to section 21 of the Human Rights Act, I wish to table the following: 2014-2015 Annual Report of the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission. I'd like to draw your attention again, Members, to the presence in the gallery today of Mr. Yacub Adam, Deputy Chairperson of the Northwest Territories' Human Rights Commission. Mahsi.

---Applause Tabling of documents. Item 15, notices of motion. Item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 17, motions. Member for Frame Lake.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and my apologies. I'm still learning the ropes here. I'd like to move the following motion: WHEREAS the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning has expressed its support for greater participation in the democratic process, thereby increasing opportunities for public engagement with respect to the work of the Standing Committee's established under the rules of the Legislative Assembly; AND WHEREAS this government has also recognized the importance of accessibility and transparency and has named the Minister responsible for public engagement and transparency;

AND WHEREAS it would be beneficial for this Assembly to have a process established to guide its committees as they work to increase public engagement, becoming more accessible and transparent;

AND WHEREAS the Standing Committee recognizes the process conventions currently established and adopted by this Assembly to assist all Members within their respective roles to work for the collective good of the people of the Northwest Territories; NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that this Assembly refer the issue of standing committee public engagement and transparency to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures to recommend a process that may be adopted by all Standing Committees of the 18th Legislative Assembly; AND FURTHER that the research and analysis include consultation with a public and a jurisdictional review;

AND FURTHERMORE that the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures report back to the House with its recommendations during the fall 2016 sitting. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi. Motion is on the floor. To the motion.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion carried.

---Carried Motions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to present a motion: WHEREAS Section 48(1) of the Human Rights Act provides for the establishment of adjudication panel composed of at least three persons appointed by the Commissioner on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly; AND WHEREAS Section 48(4) of the Human Rights Act provides that members of the panel hold office during good behaviour for a term of four years with the exception of the first members appointed;

AND WHEREAS there are currently two vacancies of the adjudication panel; AND WHEREAS the board of management is tasked with recommending individuals to the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Assembly is prepared to make a recommendation to the Commissioner; NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Mr. Adrian Wright of Salt Spring Island, BC, be recommended to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories for appointment as a member of the Human Rights Adjudication Panel effective immediately for a term of four years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi. Motion is on the floor. Motion is in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion carried. ---Carried

Motions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that notwithstanding Rule 4 when this House adjourns February the 25, 2016, it shall be adjourned until Monday, February the 29, 2016; AND FURTHER, that at any time prior to February the 29, 2016, if the speaker is satisfied after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly that the public interest requires that the House should meet at any earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and there upon the House shall meet at the time stated and such notice and shall transact its business as it has been duly adjourned to that time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi. Motion is on the floor. Motion is now debatable. All those in favour. All those opposed. Motion carried. ---Carried

Item 18, first reading of bills. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Mahsi. The bill is on the floor. The bill is now debatable. All those in favour. All those opposed. Bill has its first reading. Item 19, second reading of bills. Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Tabled Document 2-18(2) Interim Estimates, 2016-2017; Tabled Document 3-18(2) Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 4, 2015-2016; and Tabled Documents 4-18(3) Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2015-2016, with Member for Hay River North in the chair.

I now call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of the Committee? Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman

, committee wishes to review Tabled Document Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 4, 2015-2016; and Tabled Document 4-18(3) Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2015-2016.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Does the committee agree?

We'll take a short recess and resume with the first item. ---SHORT RECESS

I call Committee of the Whole back to order. Committee, we've agreed to consider Tabled Document 3-18(2) Supplementary Estimates, Infrastructure Expenditures No. 4, 2015-2016. Does the Minister of Finance have any opening remarks?

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair, I do. I am here to present Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 4, 2015-2016. This document provides for an increase of $4.6 million to the capital budget. This document provides for an increase of $4.6 million to the capital budget. The most significant item is the $4.5 million related to the purchase of mineral claims and leases on the Mactung property pursuant to the North American Tungsten Corporation Limited's insolvency process. This is required in the infrastructure supplementary appropriation due to the principal purchase of the tangible asset requiring a capital appropriation. That concludes my opening remarks.