Kevin O'Reilly

Thanks, Mr. Chair. What this does is say that, in deciding how to implement the statement of environmental values that is adopted by Cabinet, Ministers and I believe it's deputy heads shall consider the factors that the Minister has already agreed to use in determining whether an investigation is going to be carried out. So this is not saying that they have to make a decision in a certain way. You just have to consider these things in determining whether something has the potential to significantly affect the environment, so I think this is helpful guidance. It does not restrict how a Minister...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Yes, I, too, would like to commend the chair of our committee in particular. This was an unusual bill for us to deal with, and I know that the chair did have to spend some extra time on this one. He did talk to the chair of the Nunavut standing committee on the phone about this bill to make sure that our efforts were coordinated and understood. Our staff behind the scenes were also working together on making sure that we understood what the concerns of Nunavut were with regard to this bill and so that we could try to harmonize our efforts in that way. I also want to commend...

Monsieur le President, I would like to recognize Felix Lockhart, as well. He conducted sort of an informal interview with me in about 1986 in the restaurant of the Pinecrest Hotel in Fort Smith. I had just started with the Dene Nation. Somehow, I think I passed the quiz and I'm still here. Condolences to Felix and his family for the great contribution that Sandra made to all our lives. Merci.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I guess I don't agree, and I'll be bringing forward a motion, if I may, then, with regard to clause 18.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the 19th Assembly review the code of conduct to ensure it continues to meet the needs of the Assembly and residents. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. While I appreciate the response, that is not what I actually asked. I said: how will the decision be made? Is there a set of criteria? How will a determination be made, whether something significantly affects the environment? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I move that this committee recommends that all Members of the 19th Assembly receive privacy training to assist them in protecting the confidentiality of any personal information, personal health information, or other confidential information that comes into their possession. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I am disappointed that the Minister didn't see fit to respond for the record on the department's position. This is not about adding extra layers. This about adding a one-time review six years into the future on a bill that has been reviewed once in 29 years. It is about ensuring that we keep environmental rights up to standards that our citizens expect, ensuring that we consider whether we have adopted best practices or not. This is not about creating extra work. It is about providing a checkpoint.

Committee has spent a lot of time reviewing other bills where we have actually...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Those are all of the general questions and comments that I have for now. I look forward to the clause-by-clause review. I have a few items that I may speak to there. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Very quickly, the code, when it is passed by the House, is binding on MLAs at the time and any future MLAs. There is not a requirement for our future MLAs to actually sign the code in any kind of public way. The recommendation here is that there still be a symbolic signing when MLAs are sworn in just so the public can see that they have agreed publicly to accept the code of conduct and live by it. Thanks, Mr. Chair.