I'm very eager to see this legislation, but I notice the budget doesn't have an ombudsman office listed, so how are we paying for the ombudsman role once the legislation is passed?

We are, of course, committed to the office of an ombudsman, but we have not yet ascertained all of the costs.

I mean, it's clear that Northerners need a one-stop-shop for concerns around access to government services, and we need to make sure we understand what the costs are going to be on this government to provide that service and support the ombudsman. So will the Minister commit to getting those facts and figures together and presenting them to either the Standing Committee on Government Operations or to Members of the House, so we can understand the fiscal implications of this office on this government?

Yes. I understand that this is a matter that would go to the Board of Management, so obviously they're going to have to determine what those costs are.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister committed that the legislation is going to come sometime this year. Which sitting of this House will he table the bill for ombudsman? Thank you.

I'm not certain at which sitting. We do have quite an ambitious legislative menu that is coming up; legislation in such areas as cannabis is very important and is very timely. We will, however, and are intending to bring forward legislation this year. I can't give you an exact date. Thank you.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. I just need to nail this down. The Premier mentioned that he was prepared to share drafts of the Arctic Policy Framework, NWT chapter, but he just didn't go as far as to say that the sharing is going to happen on this side of the House. Can the Minister clearly commit to sharing drafts of this NWT chapter, the Arctic Policy Framework, with Regular MLAs? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Honourable Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have committed to sharing all of the draft documents with all of the stakeholders, including, obviously, the MLAs. I didn't think I had to specifically say it, but that's what I will be doing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Item 8, oral questions. Item 9, written questions. Item 10, returns to written questions. Item 11, replies to Commissioner's opening address. Item 12, replies to budget address (day 4 of 7). Item 13, petitions. Item 14, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 15, tabling of documents. Minister of Finance.

Masi. Tabling of documents. The Honourable Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table to following letter from Gary Vivian, President of the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines, to myself, Premier McLeod, dated February 12, 2018, commending the Government of the Northwest Territories for sending a strong signal that the Northwest Territories is serious about its minerals industry, through its presence at roundup 2018, along with representatives of NWT Indigenous governments that are emerging and that are engaging in their own work to attract mineral investments and jobs to their regions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Tabling of documents. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to table the following documents entitled "Yellowknife 2017 Living Wage, November 2017," and "Recommendations Based on Yellowknife Living Wage Calculation - Nov. 2017." Mahsi.

Masi. Tabling of documents. Item 16, notices of motion. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, February 15, 2018, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that, notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on February 15, 2018, it shall be adjourned until Tuesday, February 20, 2018;

And further, that any time prior to February 20, 2018, 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 an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and transact its business, as it has been duly adjourned to that time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Notices of motion. Item 17, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 18, motions. Item 19, first reading of bills. Item 20, second reading of bills. Item 21, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Minister's Statement 1-18(3); Minister's Statement 19-18(3); Tabled Document 63-18(3), with the Member for Hay River North in the chair.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Chair of the Committee of the Whole leave the chair to report progress. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. There is a motion to report progress. The motion is in order and non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

I will rise and report progress.

May I have the report, Member for Hay River North?