Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. As noted above, the mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories 2016-2019 was drafted by Cabinet, reviewed in Caucus, and adopted with amendments in the House. The same process should be applied for the mid-term adjustments to the mandate. This work should be completed in the October 2017 Session.

Recommendation 7

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that the Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories 2016-2019 be revised, if necessary, by Cabinet with input from the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning, reviewed in Caucus and tabled for potential debate, amendment and adoption in the October 2017 session of the House.

The committee is mindful that time in the Chamber is at a premium and that it is in the best public interest to be efficient. The tools recommended for the review were, in part, chosen to maximize information made available to the public and to lay the groundwork for the efficient public proceedings by the Mid-Term Review Committee. Two previous mid-term reviews in the Chamber were long and arduous. Members were each permitted 12 questions for each Minister in the first review and eight questions in the second. In addition, it is only fair that the government and the Ministers know where they stand at the conclusion of the review and that the outcome is clear to the public, and therefore recommend the following procedures and time limits for the proposed mid-term review.

Recommendation 8

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that the Mid-Term Review Committee provide that:

1. each Minister starting with a Premier and subsequently in alphabetical order, speak for up to five minutes on his or her performance and leadership of his or her departments, each Member will be permitted to ask up to two questions no longer than two minutes each. Responses will be no longer than two minutes each;

2. the Premier speaks for up to 10 minutes on his overall leadership and performance and the collective performance of Cabinet, each Member will be permitted to ask two questions no longer than two minutes each. Responses will be no longer than two minutes each;

3. rules for the proceedings prohibit signs of approval or disapproval such as table banging and comments such as shame or hear hear during speeches and questions;

4. a confidence vote will be conducted on the overall progress of Cabinet in meeting its mandate in an open forum by secret ballot;

5. confidence votes will be conducted on the overall performance of each Minister in an open forum by secret ballot; and

6. overall results will be announced by the chair on conclusion of the process.

In conclusion, the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures is honoured to present its work on the establishment of a mid-term review process. The committee believes that, by adopting the recommendations above, the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories will set new benchmarks for accountability and transparency, build greater public trust, and increase understanding of the government’s work on behalf of all residents. The Committee thanks all Members for their input as we worked on this challenging task. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to turn the floor over to Minister Sebert.