Mr. Chair, I move that the committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a comprehensive response to this report within 120 days. Thank you.
The motion is in order. To the motion.
Question.
Question is being called.
---Carried
Does the committee agree that we have concluded Committee Report 6-16(5)?
Agreed.
We have concluded Committee Report 6-16(5).
We agreed, prior to this, that we would go to Tabled Document 30-16(5). Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I want to take a few moments today to discuss the process that will be followed to consider and debate the report of the Independent Commission to Review Members’ Compensation and Benefits. I would be remiss if I didn’t begin by thanking the commission members themselves for their detailed and thoughtful work.
The commission provided every Member of the House with opportunity to provide their thoughts and perspectives for the commission’s consideration. Ample opportunity was also made for public participation. The commission members were Ed Gullberg, Leon Lafferty and Marion Burles. The commission was initially chaired by Mr. Garth Malakoe, prior to his appointment to the Territorial Court. It is obvious from the report that each of these individuals dedicated a great deal of time and effort to this work.
Mr. Chair, our Legislative Assembly has adopted a process for reviewing MLA compensation and benefits similar to that which exists in most Canadian and Commonwealth jurisdictions. Although the ultimate authority to enact legislation setting MLA compensation must rest with legislators themselves, those decisions are guided by review by an independent body at the beginning of every new Assembly. Our Assembly has also adopted a custom whereby sitting MLAs never vote to change their own compensation. Changes to Members’ compensation normally take effect at the commencement of the following Assembly. These two steps help lessen the necessary but unfortunate necessity of having MLAs determine their own compensation.
Mr. Chair, the report of the independent commission was tabled in this House on May 11, 2010. It was referred to Committee of the Whole on May 13, 2010, and has remained there since.
Mr. Chair, I think it’s important that the public understand what the status of this report is. Following adjournment of the House this week, we will reconvene on February 8, 2011. At that time… Excuse me, Mr. Chair, we may convene on February 1, 2011. At that time, the report of the independent commission will remain on the orders of the day. In the intervening period, staff will complete their analysis of the commission’s report and prepare draft legislation that can be considered in conjunction with the report. It makes sense to debate the report and any draft legislation falling out from the report at the same time, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Chair, I look forward to a full and thorough debate on the report of the independent commission when this House reconvenes in February. With that, Mr. Chair, I move that we report progress.
---Carried
