Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister elaborate? I'm not sure whether " du e' consideration is the same as "serious" consideration. Is it that you'll just sort of look at it and fire it away, or that it will be given serious and realistic consideration? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister indicate to the House if the employees could realize a savings some other way other than privatizing, would the Minister be prepared to consider that option? Thank you

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister advise the House whether as the request for proposals is drafted up, will the employees currently employed by Trail Cross be given the right of first refusal for

the jobs that will be put out under the new contract? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Health and Social Services regarding the proposed plan to privatize Trail Cross in Fort Smith. Could the Minister confirm if the department is still proceeding with the initiative to privatize Trail Cross?

It is difficult to know what is really happening, given the clear lack of information from these two organizations. I believe those accused of wrongdoing need a public acknowledgement of their innocence. It is also time for both bureaucracies to be very clear about the results of their investigations and about why what should have been a quick responsive process, has become this plodding nightmare.

Mr. Speaker, I have a number of questions as a result of this disturbing experience. No other individual or MLA should have to go through what those accused have gone through for the last seven months, as a result of these apparently unfounded allegations. While I realize that the two organizations in question are federal bodies, they are both providing service to this government. Over the next few weeks, I intend to ask for answers until I am satisfied that we have the answers we need to ensure this nonsense doesn't happen again and the system will work the way it should next time; providing swift justice and clearing the names of the innocent. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about our election system. For many of the Members, the 1995 election was a learning experience. Unfortunately, in my case, which should have been a lesson in the virtues of the democratic system, it became instead a lesson in how easy it is to make a mockery of our political process and hurt innocent people along the way.

Instead, the people of Fort Smith and those people accused have watched costly court arguments between the RCMP and Elections Canada over who had handled the complaint, no clear end to the complaint, and evidence of how easily a person with ill intent could disrupt the election process if they want to.

Frankly, Mr. Speaker, I am appalled at the time and money that has been spent by both the RCMP and Elections Canada as they squabbled over jurisdiction and staff resources as they duplicated each other's efforts investigating the same complaint. When the federal government is cutting our funding for housing and other social programs, it is hard to believe that a simple investigation of a possible election fraud in a community of 2,500 people ends up costing the taxpayers the equivalent of at least five nurses' or teachers' salaries.

At this point, apparently the CEO of Elections Canada has determined there is no basis for the complaint. The RCMP continued with their own investigation and apparently have sent a final report dismissing the allegations to the CEO, who will have the final say regarding the charges laid.

Mr. Speaker, the way Elections Canada and the RCMP have handled the elections complaint in Fort Smith seems to be a travesty to the process. Of course, it is difficult to know what is really happening given the lack of clear information from these two organizations. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

I move that, effective April 1, 1996, all indemnities that are provided to Members of the Legislative Assembly under the authority of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act be reduced by seven per cent;

And further, effective immediately, that there be no automatic increase in indemnities during the life of the 1 3th Assembly living;

--- Applause

And further that the legislative changes to implement this decision be introduced immediately.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. For some time now, we've been looking at the document before us, the Report of the Commission on MLA Compensation. This is part of an overall package that affects not only ourselves individually in our wallets but also, as politicians and MLAs, it has an impact on our overall strategy in the Northwest Territories dealing with the unions and dealing with our fiscal policy. The report that we've been examining has, to my mind, given us valuable food for thought, has given us a vehicle to bring concerns into the open and the public input into the process in terms of what MLAs should be compensated. I think at this point, even though we may not have finished all the fine detail of our review, to me, it's very important that we send a clear message; not only to the people in the North, but to the unions and to everybody we're doing business with that we, in fact, do intend to lead by example, that we take our role very seriously and were not just mouthing empty platitudes when we said we were going to share the pain.

--- Applause

I hope our bankers and creditors will be as equally cheerful when they hear the news of the cuts we are taking.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to move the following motion.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If it's agreeable to Committee of the Whole, I would like to make some comments and a motion.