By reporting progress on this today, does that mean that we are not going into the details of the report itself? I am not clear here.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Generally, I support the report, "Strength at Two Levels." Many aspects, recommendations and research that went into it provide a very stern review of how things are done. There are a couple of things I want to make note of, and I will be addressing these as we get into detail.

One is regarding the public service and the recommendation for developing a home-grown public service as well as the need to refocus or revitalize the affirmative action program. The report goes into some detail about the lack of Northerners and the lack of availability of trained northern people to assume responsible positions in this government. Yet, in another section, the report talks about the education of northern people. There is a recommendation to reduce some of the services, grants and benefits to northern people. This does not make sense to me. On one hand you are suggesting increasing the training of our people, and on the other hand you are recommending reducing what there is in terms of how this training is done. This is one area we have to look at. Maybe there is a middle ground.

Another area I have a concern about, and will be raising at the appropriate time, is health benefits, especially to non-status and Metis people. There are some recommendations in the report that they be seriously considered. I assume it means the requests that have been made to the previous government, and I believe it is on the agenda of this government. I read that to mean that those requests not be approved. I hope that they be considered and that we try not to establish different classes of aboriginal people in the Northwest Territories.

These are a couple of comments I wanted to make at this stage. Thank you.

I would like to make the report on interim measures for the management of board appointments. This report is from the standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions of which I am the chairman. The standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions met on Friday, December 6, 1991. The committee discussed the establishment of a comprehensive work plan for the review of selected boards and agencies, and a further report on this matter may be forthcoming later in the session.

Members of the standing committee, however, took special note that sections of the "Strength at Two Levels" document outlined prospective courses of action for the reorganization, downsizing and elimination of certain government-created boards and agencies. While both general and specific recommendations contained in the report may have some merit, the standing committee wishes to ensure that the government does not proceed with decisions in this area without the benefit of committee review and discussion of all relevant options. To this end, the standing committee has requested advance notification from the Government Leader of any plans to modify existing boards, agencies or commissions.

Further, the standing committee wishes to ensure that appointments of board members not proceed in a fashion that might later limit the capacity of the Legislative Assembly and the cabinet to make structural changes necessary to improve our system of boards and agencies.

For that reason, the standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions recommends that the Government of the NWT postpone filling membership vacancies in all government-created boards and agencies until after March 31, 1992; and further, that where it is clearly in the public interest to appoint or reappoint members of boards and agencies, that these appointments be made for the shortest possible term.

Motion To Move Committee Report 1-12(1), Report Of The Standing Committee On Agencies, Boards And Commissions, To Committee Of The Whole, Carried

Mr. Speaker, that concludes this report by the standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions. I move, seconded by Mr. Lewis, the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that the report of the standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions on interim measures for the management of board appointments, be received by the Assembly and referred to the committee of the whole.

A new question to the same Minister. Would the Minister include the original job requirements for community or area superintendents prior to the transfer of Northern Canada Power Commission to the Government of the Northwest Territories?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation. The Power Corporation, previously the Northern Canada Power Commission, has over the years employed many northern residents in supervisory and management roles. Would the Minister table in this House the current job requirements for community or area superintendents?

Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Government Leader to clarify the government's position in regard to the approval of the Gwich'in final agreement. The final agreement, if approved, will position the Gwich'in to benefit from economic development, especially in areas of resource management and resource development and allow the Gwich'in to become major stakeholders in development of their area.

This is a simple statement of the positive impacts of the land claim, but it is apparent that the Government of the NWT takes a narrow vision of some of these benefits and is keen on the negative impacts of the government's budget, in particular, in the negotiations of their implementation plan seek only assurance that the land claim obligations will be carried out. Some of these are within the mandate of the GNWT, yet this government refuses to accept any financial burden over and above existing programs and services.

There is an agreement that these negotiations for a general principle protecting the GNWT's position, that all incremental costs will be paid by the Government of Canada. Is this government willing to take a leap of faith, based on a general principle that the Government of the NWT has no land claim financial obligation, and approve the Gwich'in final agreement?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker:

WHEREAS it is required by Rule 95(2) that the terms of reference for all standing committees shall be approved by the Legislative Assembly;

AND WHEREAS the standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions has considered the matters of their terms of reference;

AND WHEREAS the standing committee is now prepared to present their terms of reference to the Legislative Assembly;

NOW THEREFORE, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Lewis, that the following terms of reference for the standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions be approved:

The standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions shall:

a) have the authority to review and comment on the annual reports of agencies, boards, public committees, councils and commissions to which the Legislative Assembly, the Executive Council, a Minister or the Commissioner make some or all of the appointments;

b) inquire into such matters as may be referred to it by the Legislative Assembly;

c) establish its quorum to be five Members, including the Chair;

The standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions may on its own authority:

a) examine and report on the methods by which it believes appointments, terms and memberships and remuneration of members should be made to agencies, boards, public committees, councils and commissions;

b) review the operation of all such agencies, boards, public committees, councils and commissions, with a view to improving operations, including reducing possible redundancy and overlapping;

c) make recommendations on the continuance or reorganization of individual agencies, boards, public committees, councils and commissions.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to proceed with my motion today concerning the terms of reference for the standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, December 11, 1991, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that the following terms of reference of the standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions be approved: The standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions shall: a) have the authority to review and comment on the annual reports of agencies, boards, public committees,

councils and commissions to which the Legislative Assembly, the Executive Council, a Minister or the Commissioner make some or all of the appointments; b) inquire into such matters as may be referred to it by the Legislative Assembly; c) establish its quorum to be five Members including the Chair.

The standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions may, on its own authority: a) examine and report on the methods by which it believes appointments, terms and memberships, and remuneration of members should be made to agencies, boards, public committees, councils and commissions; b) review the operation of all such agencies, boards, public committees and commissions, with a view to improving operations, including reducing possible redundancy and overlapping; c) make recommendations on the continuance or reorganization of individual boards, agencies, public committees, councils and commissions.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to proceed with this motion today. Thank you.