Thank you, Mr. Speaker. By the same token, perhaps my constituents aren't complaining directly to the Minister because they don't feel like they can. So will the Minister commit to establishing an arm's-length body that can properly assess whether or not our procurement system is maximizing the benefits it delivers to our economy and to Northerners? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't know how many creative ways I've got to say this. I said I believe our system is fine, it's working. The latest thing I can remember on the procurement side of things is we heard from businesses and industries in the Northwest Territories when we raised the sole source amount from $5,000 to $25,000; but, like I said, I haven't had any complaints since I've been the Minister of Public Works.

Masi. Oral questions. Item 8, written questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to return to item number 5 on the order paper. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, we have been joined by several members of the Family Violence Coalition of the NWT, including David Wasylciw, Sami Thomas, Annemieke Mulders and Lyda Fuller. I'd like to welcome them to the House to hear our discussions. Thank you.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. I'd like to recognize Lyda Fuller; she's a constituent of mine. She is also the Executive Director of the Yellowknife YWCA. Welcome to the House.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to Commissioner's opening address. Item 11, Petitions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition dealing with the matter of funding for junior kindergarten and other options for families.

Mr. Speaker, the petition contains 184 electronic signatures of Northwest Territories residents and, Mr. Speaker, the petitioners request that the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment provide flexible, real choices for parents of four-year-olds by ensuring that all options for children are properly funded and that the money follows the child in whatever option is chosen. The petitioners also ask the Minister to fully fund junior kindergarten and other options so there are no negative impacts on the rest of the Northwest Territories' education system. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. Item 15, notices of motion. Item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 17, motions. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly identified a number of priority actions including fostering healthy families by focusing on wellness prevention and improved nutrition as well as creating opportunities for healthy lifestyles and community leadership for youth;

AND WHEREAS Petition 6-18(2): Elimination of time change in the Northwest Territories was presented to the House on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, and contained over 500 electronic signatures of territorial residents;

AND WHEREAS academic research has demonstrated that there may be negative effects on both the mind and body associated with changes to and from Daylight Savings Time;

AND WHEREAS the study and analysis of issues related to the bi-annual daylight time changes can be addressed in greater detail by a committee of this Legislative Assembly;

AND WHEREAS regulations to address any variance from Mountain Standard Time to allow for the use of Daylight Savings Time are set in accordance with terms contained in the Interpretation Act;

AND WHEREAS the Interpretation Act is administered by the Department of Justice, which is one of the departments considered by the Standing Committee on Social Development;

NOW THEREFORE I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife North, that the Assembly refer Petition 6-18(2): Elimination of Time Change in the Northwest Territories to the Standing Committee on Social Development for a comprehensive review and that the Standing Committee report back to this Assembly at their earliest opportunity. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Petition 6-18(2) is now referred to standing committee. Masi. Motions. Item 18, first reading of bills. Item 19, second reading of bills. Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters, Committee Report 7-18(2), Committee Report 9-18(2).

Before I move on, I'd like to recognize Professor Graham White of the University of Toronto who is here with us today. He is one of the most well-known scholars of our consensus-style government and a friend to the North. Welcome. Masi.

---Applause

At this time, Member for Hay River North taking the Chair.

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

Marci cho, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, committee wishes to consider Committee Report 7-18(2), Report on the Review of Members' Conduct Guidelines. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Does committee agree?

Thank you, committee. We will consider the document after a brief recess.

---SHORT RECESS

I will call committee of the Whole back to order. Committee, we have agreed to consider Committee Report 7-18(2), Report on the Review of Members' Conduct Guidelines. I will turn to the chair of the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures for opening comments. Mr. O'Reilly.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. On February 28, 2017, the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures presented its report on review of Member's conduct guidelines titled "You Are Standing for Your People." The report contained six recommendations to strengthen the standards of conduct for both candidates and Members of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly and increase Members' accountability to the public.

The committee advises changes to the Elections and Plebiscites Act, changes to the Executive Council and Legislative Assembly Act, a new oath of office, a more enforceable code of conduct, expansion of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner's duties to include matters of conduct and ethics, and a public review of the conflict of interest provisions in the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act.

Our in-depth review has taken over a year to complete. It included research on the strengths and weaknesses of our current system of government and elections by comparison with other jurisdictions in light of our history and social conditions. We canvassed relevant national, territorial, and municipal legislation. Much of this work was discussed in the committee's interim report tabled in October 2016.

A public discussion paper was released before public hearings were held in Hay River, Inuvik, and Yellowknife in November and December 2016. The committee benefited from very insightful public input. This stimulated additional research the committee required to fully consider public submissions and options for improving our standards of conduct and accountability. Of course, the committee worked closely with the law clerk to ensure that recommended changes to the legislation are feasible and practical from a legal perspective.

The committee believes that, by adopting its six recommendations, our Assembly will strengthen our system of consensus government and set enforceable standards of conduct as good or better than any in Canada. Most importantly, these recommendations are truly made-in-the-North and inspired by the needs and aspirations of our territory.

We have before us today a tremendous opportunity for positive change. Committee members thank everyone who participated in its public hearings on this matter and all who submitted written comments. Your advice was vital in guiding the report we will discuss today. Mahsi, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. I would like to introduce Deputy Law Clerk Alyssa Holland. Any legal questions that may arise, you may direct them to her through me. I will now open up the floor to general comments on Committee Report 7-18(2). Do we have general comments? Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As this is an important matter for the Legislative Assembly, the people of the Northwest Territories, and all Members including those in Cabinet, for that reason I wish to advise that the Executive Council will have a free vote on these motions. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Premier. Do we have any further opening comments? Ms. Green.