Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In the past, the Pages would be selected from the schools here in Yellowknife. There was very little cost associated with it except for the wages we would pay the Pages and the uniforms they would wear and getting them to and from their school to here. At the request of the Members, over the years the board has agreed to allow Members to bring in students from their ridings up to so many a year to match with those that are here already. In the past, it was the total responsibility of the Member for transportation, for food and lodging and the care of the students while they were here. The policy was that the schools would do the selecting and not the Members and that the Member would be responsible for the student to page us while they were here. In response to the Members' requests, the board agreed to pay the transportation costs, and part of that transportation cost would come out of the Member's constituency budget. The board agreed to pay for two students a year for each of the ridings that chose to bring students in here. However, the responsibility for the page when they were in town, in the city here, would be that of the Member. The Legislative Assembly could not and should not get involved in the keeping and maintaining of students. It takes on a very serious responsibility and that is why the Members are asked to be responsible for their Pages coming from their communities.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There are a number of different factors that come to play in this. The Speaker had been into the various assemblies across the country, Ontario being one, Alberta being another. We got some ideas from them as to what we could do for security in our building. Perhaps it's not as well-known to Members, but there has been some concern by the Speaker's office and security here for the safety of the Members. There have been some threats in the past and these are just precautions. We have increased the security by using a camera system. We have increased security by using a lighting system that is not quite finished yet and will be as soon as the temperatures warm up a bit and a couple of extra staff during the sitting times. We are very aware that we live in an age now where if we didn't do anything, we could become irresponsible. Our insurance rates are always a factor and that is probably the cheapest way we can reduce a threat to a Member and also reduce insurance rates.

The other thing, Mr. Chairman, is buildings like assemblies, they necessitate special consideration to be given to the physical movement of elected people within the building, employees, visitors, that is the reason we have the pass system that we have. There are perhaps even more elaborate systems that we could put in, but we've come up with a very effective and moderately priced system using the cameras, lights and additional security people.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. While it does lend a little bit of humour to the conversation, it is a very serious question Ms. Lee asks. I would like to assuage her fears. These are not roving cameras. They are fixed in certain positions that are pre-assigned. This was part of the security package that was put before the House some time ago. Yes, it did cost us $225,000 to do all of the work, including the light, that has included the camera for security reasons. The safety and security of the staff and the Members are foremost in the mind of the Speaker. The Speaker had put forward a much larger plan prior to that, but the House gave us direction which we followed. There are several new cameras that have been put up and they are monitored by the security. They are in positions that are not as easily watchable by the staff and that's the reason they are there. They are not mobile. They are only fixed to a certain area. It's there to enhance the safety and the security of the building and the honourable Members.

Yes, they are low sodium lights that are energy efficient and you will see more lights this year than in the past years because it is a new project that is going to be a part of the capital site enhancement, but they are energy efficient lights, as energy efficient as we can get them.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I think the Members will probably recall it in last year's budget that was brought forward and was approved by the House. The honourable Member is correct, we've gone ahead with lighting up the outside of the building. It isn't on all night. It's on for parts of the evening and certain events. Certainly we don't light it up in the summertime. When we don't need to, we save money. In the wintertime, it is one of the tourist attractions, and we've received a tremendous number of compliments on the way the building is now visible from the town due to the lighting. It's still not quite finished.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe the Member is referring to those tapestries that were so elegantly hanging in the gallery. They are out for cleaning at the moment. We are having some work done on the overall image of the building. We want to see whether or not they will be replaced in that same position. They could be returned in a short time. There is going to be an overall plan and the Members will be involved in the overall review of the cultural vision of the building. That may be included in it.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That's part of the contract. There are a number of different things included in there and that's one of them. That's part of the contract.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With your permission, I would like to introduce my witnesses. On my left side here is Mr. David Hamilton, clerk of the Assembly; and, on my right hand side is Myles Moreside, director of corporate services for the Legislative Assembly.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, colleagues. I am pleased to present the Legislative Assembly's 2003-2004 main estimates.

The Legislative Assembly is proposing a total operation expense of $14.432 million for the coming fiscal year.

Mr. Chairman, I think it's important to indicate that the Board of Management, in preparing the business plan and main estimates, is guided by the input of Members and I hope it's representative of your needs. Ultimately your direction, either by legislation, regulations or policy determines the level of financial and human resources necessary to provide services to Members and for the day-to-day administration of the Legislative Assembly offices. The board and the Clerk's office are always looking for ways improve the quality and level of services and we remain committed to providing those services in a cost-effective, open, transparent and accountable manner which is what the people of this territory deserve and expect of its elected Assembly.

I would like to remind Members that the appropriations of the Legislative Assembly provide funding for the statutory officers of the Assembly. Funding is provided to the offices of the languages commissioner, the conflict of interest commissioner, information and privacy commissioner and the chief electoral officer.

During the 2003-2004 fiscal year the implementation of the new Human Rights Act will take shape. There is no funding currently identified to fully implement the new act but I can assure Members that we will be coming forward for supplementary funding early in the new year to begin the implementation phase of the new Human Rights Act.

Mr. Chairman, I am sure I do not have to remind you that the proposed main estimates before you today cover the dissolution of the 14th Assembly and the transition to the 15th Legislative Assembly. In an election year, there are increased costs for the conduct of the general election, which will not be required in subsequent fiscal years. There are also some reductions in costs as, traditionally, committees' activities taper off and Members' budgets and allowances are prorated in an election year. However, it would appear that the government has a number of legislative initiatives that may negate the historical reductions we can make in an election year. I can assure Members that there will be sufficient funding for committees as they carry out their responsibilities in the months leading up to this general election. The main estimates before you today, Mr. Chairman, contain a number of forced growth items including:

• • $434,000 for the office of the chief electoral officer to continue preparations for the conduct of the November general election;
• • $160,500 transition allowance for retiring or non-returning Members;
• • $21,000 for orientation for the Members of the 15th Legislative Assembly;
• • $34,600 overall increase to Members' constituency budgets, which is now tied to the consumer price index;
• • $40,000 for furniture and equipment for the new Members of the 15th Assembly.

Mr. Chairman and colleagues, heading into the transition to a new Assembly, always makes for a hectic period of time for MLAs and for our staff as well as the numerous government officials that support our work. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the dedicated work of the staff of the Legislative Assembly and the Government of the Northwest Territories. It takes a dedicated staff and civil service to provide the work we do as a Legislature and government.

I would like to advise Members that we have had a productive last year with an increase in the number of events in the Great Hall and our Caucus Room. These events bring in people from all walks of life, from across the territory, Canada and internationally which serves to enhance our exposure and to promote the NWT.

Mr. Chairman, the Speaker's office will continue to take steps to enhance the cultural diversity of our Legislature and you will see the results of our efforts when we sit later this year, when our Pages will be wearing new uniforms. The uniforms are the result of the work of a number of northern artists, Susan Marie, Darcy Moses and Karen Wright-Fraser. The Speaker's office has also been working on the development of a cultural enhancement program for the Legislative Assembly building. We hope Members will see these two initiatives as enhancements to the appearance of this wonderful facility.

Again, Mr. Chairman, and colleagues, the Board of Management has made every effort to address the needs of the Legislative Assembly and has endeavoured to secure the level of financial and human resources necessary to meet these demands. However, the board and my office, like Members, are ultimately responsible for the decisions we make collectively, as elected representatives of the people of the NWT.

I look forward to the Members' comments and questions. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.