Mr. Speaker, earlier today the Premier said that the Cabinet had heard clearly from Members about their frustrations and concerns. Mr. Speaker, I have brought up a legitimate, fact-based problem with the speed of legislation being introduced in this Legislative Assembly. What I got in return was a denial that there is a problem and no offer to take up my offer to discuss this with the other Members of this House, so I want to ask the Premier again: will he work with Caucus to look at convening a short sitting in December so that additional bills can be introduced for review prior to the budget session? Mahsi.
Masi. The Honourable Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my response, I made sure that all options were open, and I said that I would review the legislative agenda and we would take whatever actions would be required to make sure that we fulfilled our agenda, our very ambitious agenda. That did not preclude meeting with Caucus to review. We all know the process. The only one who can call or reconvene the Legislative Assembly would be the call of the Speaker.
I am aware of the process, but it would start with the Caucus. So how is the Premier going to consult with Regular Members on the issue of speeding up the process of introducing new legislation?
First of all, I would review our legislative agenda. I would review every proposal. I would review every timeline, and I would review the resources that we have available, and we would review that with Caucus.
Mr. Speaker, the next Caucus meeting is February 7, 2018, so at what point will this review involve the Regular Members?
We would undertake a government review, and, as soon as that is completed, we are, MLAs are, meeting on a regular basis, so we would try to fit into that agenda and timetable.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Could the Premier tell us when the results of this review will be available and whether he will make them available to Regular Members?
As soon as our government and our officials have been able to review the legislative agenda and as soon as we can determine the timelines and the proposed schedules, we would develop a critical path. I expect that we will be able to meet with Caucus at that point. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to visitors in the gallery. We have with us Language Commissioner Shannon Gullberg. Welcome to our Assembly. Also with us we have council members with a chief here today, Paul Betsina and Bobby Drygeese. Masi for joining us. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North.
