Rylund Johnson

The Department of Health and Social Services presently has a quality improvement progress tracker that allows you to see a number of the tasks and responses to the audit. I commend the department for creating this tracker. It really should be how all of our actions are measured and available to the public.

However, I think there is a larger question. The audit is largely of whether we are complying with our own policies, which is step one. It is not always whether those are the right policies. My question to the Minister though is: does the Minister know if the work for a third audit has begun...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize two visitors who are visiting from the Association des colleges et universites de la francophonie canadienne, an organization that works with francophone colleges and universities across Canada. I would also like to recognize my constituent, Ms. Josee Clermont, from the College nordique francophone.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS, there is a requirement for the naming of two Members to hold the positions of Deputy Chairpersons of Committee of the Whole;

AND WHEREAS, it is desirable to appoint two Members;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North, that the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Ms. Julie Green, and the honourable Member for Hay River South, Mr. Rocky Simpson, be appointed as Deputy Chairs of Committee of the Whole.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS Section 46(1) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act requires that the Legislative Assembly shall elect a Deputy Speaker;

AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly wishes to appoint a Deputy Speaker;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North, that the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Ms. Lesa Semmler, be appointed as Deputy Speaker.

Another notice of motion, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Thursday, December 12, 2019, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North, that the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Ms. Julie Green, and the honourable Member for Hay River South, Mr. Rocky Simpson, be appointed as Deputy Chairs of the Committee of the Whole.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the Draft Rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, dated December 2019. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I believe that it is important that we are doing our own internal audits as well as a much longer discussion which I hope is brought to Committee, of whether not only are we complying with our own policies but whether they are the correct policies that ultimately will lower the number of children in care.

My question to the Minister is whether those internal audits will be shared with Members and brought to Committee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wanted to make my first questions today to the Minister of Health and Social Services on child and family services. What has happened in the past is we have had a number of audits from the Auditor General which were scathing of the treatment of children in care. There is no issue that requires greater oversight and accountability than when the state takes a person's child.

My concern is that what happens in this Assembly is at times we get the reports and a lot of noise is made, and then there is some media, and then it falls off, often between audits or between...

Along with my colleagues, I would like to recognize that today is World Human Rights Day, which marks the conclusion of The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. After publishing the priorities of this 19th Assembly, it was pointed out by a number of my constituents that any mention of working to address violence against women was missing from the list. This is an omission that I believe this Assembly must rectify. It must be made clear that taking action to end domestic violence and gender-based violence is a priority of this Assembly.

In the throne speech last week, the federal...

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to deal with a motion I gave notice of earlier today.