Kevin O'Reilly

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I really don't want to speak at any length about the report. It is an interim report as noted early on in the presentation and on the cover of the report. We do intend to do some further work in terms of engaging the public. But most importantly, I want to thank the members of the committee, Mr. Sebert, Ms. Green, Mr. Thompson, and Mr. Beaulieu for their hard work in putting this together. We look forward to the support of all Members moving forward. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Members of the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures wish to engage the general public in a dialogue on the development and refinement of laws, Members’ conduct guidelines, and enforcement mechanisms in support of high ethical standards befitting the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly.

Following this report, the committee will issue a discussion paper posing a series of questions on key issues to stimulate public consideration and feedback. The committee plans to conduct public hearings outside the capital in November and December, 2016. The meetings will be well...

Merci, monsieur le President. Someone on the other side of the House may say that I'm not known for and may not recognize the good work of Cabinet. Well, today is their lucky day.

---Laughter

More seriously, I want to recognize the work done to produce the Yellowknife Homelessness Road Map Action Plan and the individuals who contributed. The regular members of the working group who produced the plan were Jeff Anderson, NWT Housing Corporation; Sheila Bassi-Kellett, Homeful Partnership; Linda Bussey, Yellowknife City Councillor; Bryany Denning, Yellowknife Women's Society; Lyda Fuller, YWCA...

Masi, Mr. Speaker. I am disappointed that our colleagues across the floor have indicated they are going to abstain on this motion. There was some reference in the Minister's reply or statement about missing revenues and so on. This is an important motion in terms of making sure that our standing committees have the ability to do the work that is required of them for them to carry out their due diligence roles.

I could go on about years of inertia across the way in terms of not making these changes a lot earlier. As early as possible on this side of the House, when we were made aware of this...

I thank the Minister for his response. I understand that there are a number of departments coordinating their work. That is good. Our understanding of arsenic and its toxicity has changed significantly over the last decade. How has this new knowledge influenced how we approach our assessment of arsenic in the Yellowknife area?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Over the weekend the lead story on CBC's national website was about arsenic contamination throughout the Yellowknife area. My questions are for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. What role is the Government of the Northwest Territories taking on the analysis and remediation of the widespread arsenic pollution beyond the borders of the Giant Mine site? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that Committee Report 2-18(2) be received and adopted by this Assembly. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Merci, Monsieur le president. I am pleased to present the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Interim Report on the Review of Members’ Conduct Guidelines.

It is a priority of the 18th Legislative Assembly to promote and ensure, to the greatest extent possible, a high standard of personal and public conduct for current and future Members. An important step was taken via Motion 6-18(1), entitled “Adoption of Members’ Conduct Guidelines.” Introduced by the Member for Hay River North, the motion represents this Assembly’s first referral of work to a standing committee:

WHEREAS the Members of...

Merci, Mr. Speaker. I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu NedheWiilideh, that the following terms referenced for midterm review be adopted:

Cabinet and the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning shall each evaluate progress on implementing the mandate, make their reports public, and table them in the House at the earliest opportunity;

the mandate be public and tabled in the House at the earliest opportunity;

the mandate be revised, if necessary, by Cabinet with input from the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning, reviewed in Caucus and tabled for potential debate...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today, I spoke of the uncertainty and lack of transparency around how hydraulic fracturing seems to be taking place in the Northwest Territories. There doesn't seem to be any kind of monitoring program for abandoned wells and no funds from industry to help to do this or pay for any remediation that may be necessary. Alberta has an orphan or abandoned well system. Will the Minister responsible commit to developing and implementing a polluterpay system to ensure that there is monitoring, inspection, and the necessary funds to carry out remediation of abandoned wells...