The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Does committee agree?

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. We have agreed to consider Minister's Statement 1-18(3), North Slave Correctional Complex Inmate Concerns. I will open up to committee for comments or questions. Seeing none from committee, does committee concur that this concludes our consideration of Minister's Statement 1-18(3)?

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. Committee, we have next agreed to consider Committee Report 8-18(3), the Report on the Review of the 2016-2017 Public Accounts. I will go to the Chair of the standing committee which considered the report, or which authored the report, for any opening comments. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yesterday, the Standing Committee on Government Operations presented its Report on the Review of the 2016-2017 Public Accounts of the Government of the Northwest Territories. The committee report included the eight recommendations, and I look forward to the opportunity to discuss the report and recommendations in Committee of the Whole today. Members of the committee may have individual comments. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. I will open the floor to any general comments on the report. Do we have general comments from the committee? Seeing none, we will move into the detail. As Members are aware, the recommendations in these reports are usually moved as motions. For those following along, the first recommendation can be found on page 8 of 21. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Mr. Chair, I move that this Assembly recommends that the Office of the Comptroller General in the Department of Finance consider, and report back to the Standing Committee on Government Operations on, the utility of entering into service agreements or memoranda of understanding with GNWT boards, agencies, or other entities requiring support or assistance to complete their year-end financial reporting as required under the Financial Administration Act. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. There is a motion on the floor. The motion is being distributed. To the motion.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

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

---Carried

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Mr. Testart.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Currently, in the public accounts, P3 information is scattered across several schedules. In our discussions with the Auditor General, we understand that their recommendations were to move all of that P3 information into one note in the consolidated public accounts, and that would give easier access and understanding of what the GNWT's P3 commitments are and present the information clearly to interested members of the public.

It should be noted that Canadian Public Sector Accounting treatment of P3 projects is still in flux, and there has not been a consistent practice that has been developed. Many jurisdictions are struggling with this challenge of how to properly present on P3 projects in public accounts.

Despite the Auditor General's interest in this, they were willing to accept that the information was present in the public accounts, and the committee certainly isn't of the opinion that that information was not there. Committee's interest is in ensuring that all of the information is placed under one note so it is much easier to find and much easier to understand to someone who may be flipping through the public accounts and looking for P3 commitments.

I hope that this motion passes, and the government will consider our recommendation. Thank you, Mr. Chair.