Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that our Legislative Assembly is moving toward open government. Changing our process conventions to hold more public briefings by Ministers to committees is a positive start. We have promised our constituents we would do this, Mr. Speaker. The mandate that we adopted unanimously in this House calls on us to establish an open government policy to enhance civic participation, improve public access to information, and improve public input into government decision-making.

Mr. Speaker, standing committees are doing their part. They are working on ways to do more of their business in public. This is vitally important to public understanding of consensus government and of the work being done on behalf of citizens of our territory.

Yesterday, the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures provided its thoughtful interim report on public engagement and transparency. Members of that committee have made useful suggestions for improving the openness of committee's work. These can begin to be implemented before the committee's final report and recommendations. I encourage anyone with an interest to take a look at the interim report and to take part when the rules committee begins its public consultation.

I was glad that the committee noted that much of committee's work is driven by action by the government, and that transparency of committees is a necessary follow-up to effective engagement by the government itself. This is one reason we have a Minister responsible for Public Engagement and Transparency, and I am sure he has his hands full with many tasks. Mr. Speaker, there is still much to be done.

We have not yet seen a full, open government policy. We are still looking forward to a draft legislation and concrete plans to establish an Office of the Ombudsman. I would also remind government of our mandate promise to maximize citizens' ability to access government by using consistent approaches to social media, visual identity, and overall communication. Also, I know Members are looking forward to the launch of the government's public reporting on its progress in implementing our mandate. Mr. Speaker, almost a year of our term is behind us. We cannot rest on our achievements. We must forge ahead and continue to make public business public. Later, I will have questions for the Minister responsible for Public Engagement and Transparency. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.