Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] I have a point of privilege. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak on my point of privilege. When we look at the position of the Premier, it is a big position. It is a huge job, and also the president of Aurora College has its own rules and regulations in place. The decision the Premier has made, we want to know exactly what happened. The way we have these recorded information, I will read it in English because I want it properly recorded. We do have a really good interpreter, but I will say this one in English. [Translation ends]

Mr. Speaker, I have a point of privilege affecting this Assembly. The Premier has acted outside her statutory authority by terminating the appointment of the president of Aurora College without the statutory authority to do so. The Premier's action are in direct contravention of Section 19 of the Aurora College Act. In doing so, she has breached the collective privileges of this House done against the dignity and authority of this Assembly as per Rule 20 of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, I bring this question to the Assembly, to the attention of this
Assembly at the earliest opportunity to do so after receiving legal advice from independent counsel that was laid before the House yesterday when I tabled the document 40-19(2) and upon review of the Premier's response to my questions in Hansard from yesterday's proceedings.

Mr. Speaker, the rule of law as commonly defined as the principles whereby all Members of a society, including those in government, are considered equally subject to publicly disclosed legal codes and processes. In brief, Mr. Speaker, it means that no one, absolutely no one, is above the law, especially the elected lawmakers, even more, so Ministers of the Crown.

When the Premier decided to take a statutory role of the Minister of Education on the administration of the Aurora College Act, she violated this fundamental principle of our society, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, this is a gravely serious matter in that an act in contempt of our laws is to act in contempt of the Assembly that makes them. The authority of this Assembly has been overridden by the actions of this Premier with the consequences that she has obstructed the ability of legislature in carrying out the lawmaking functions.

Mr. Speaker, the Premier has repeatedly refused to accept that she erred in impeding the statutory authority of one of her Ministers. Appropriate sanctions must be sought to curb this behaviour, to restore the integrity of the rule of law, and to ensure that we continue to live up to the highest standards, probity, integrity, accountability of our actions as elected officials.

Mr. Speaker, clearly, like all Members across this floor here, I was hoping for real positive changes within our government, an accountable government, a transparent government, but not this, Mr. Speaker. We cannot continue operating this way for our people. There are so many questions from myself and from the public, as well. They hold us in high regards when we make decisions for them across the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I await your decision on this very important matter, and I will respect your decision. Masi, Mr. Speaker.