Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to oral question asked by Ms. Bisaro on February 9, 2015, regarding municipal information and privacy legislation.
On September 18, 2014, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs distributed a discussion paper to community governments and other stakeholders including the Standing Committee on Social Programs, the Standing Committee on Government Operations and the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure of the Legislative Assembly for comment. In addition, the discussion paper was made publicly available on MACA's website.
Through this consultation, MACA received responses from six community governments on the discussion paper. MACA is concerned that developing potential options based on this limited response will be problematic. Accordingly, the department is now engaging in personal interviews with senior community government staff in order to develop a broader perspective. The intention is to then work with the Municipal Access and Privacy Working Group to complete the survey of the feedback received from stakeholders. The report will be sent to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure and will be made available publically within the life of the 17th Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, I am also mindful that at times community governments can be inundated with requests to engage on issues that the GNWT is attempting to advance. As a result, I feel it is important that MACA takes the necessary time to gather the appropriate information from community leaders, so I do appreciate the patience of the Member, this House and the Information and Privacy Commissioner as we continue to investigate this issue.
Once the summary feedback is completed, MACA will use the information to develop options to address the recommendations of the Information and Privacy Commissioner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. I would like to welcome everybody here in the public gallery. Thank you for taking an interest in our proceedings here today.
