Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Legislative Assembly makes interpreters available in most official languages when Members are sitting in the Chamber. On March 10, 2020, a Tlicho interpreter was not available due to a last-minute cancellation. The interpreter scheduled but had to cancel for personal reasons. The Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty, rose on a point of privilege. He said the lack of interpretation impeded or prevented him from performing his parliamentary functions as a Member and asked the Speaker to adjourn the proceedings. The Speaker took the matter under advisement and the proceedings continued.

On March 11, 2020, when a Tlicho interpreter was available, the Speaker heard debate on the matter of privilege. Following debate, the Speaker ruled that the matter did raise a question of privilege. He entertained motions on the ruling and Motion 5-19(2) was referred to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures for consideration.

On October 15, 2020, committee sought and received an extension of the review period for an additional 120 days. The purpose of the extension was to allow committee to engage with residents on the use of official languages in this Legislative Assembly. After several in-camera meetings on the topic, committee held a public hearing on November 17, 2020. Committee received a presentation from M. Batiste Foisy at this hearing. In addition, committee received written submissions from Mr. Jackson Lafferty, the Member for Monfwi; the Dene Nation; the Gwich'in Tribal Council; the Yellowknives Dene First Nation; and Ms. Marie Rose Sundberg. [English translation not available.] Mahsi, Mr. Chair. That's the report from the committee.