Madam Chair, I move that this committee defer further consideration of the estimates for the Department of Finance at this time. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you the motion is in order. To the motion.
Question.
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Abstentions? Motion is carried.
Carried
Thank you, committee. Is the committee prepared to move on to the next item?
Agreed
Thank you, committee, and thank you to the Minister. And sergeantatarms, please escort the witnesses from the Chamber.
Committee, we've agreed to consider Committee Report 3419(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 20202021 Annual Report of the Ombud. I will go to the chair on the Standing Committee on Government Operations for any opening remarks. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Madam Chair. The committee report was read into the record on Tuesday, October 18th, 2022. The Standing Committee on Government Operations has reviewed the 20202021 Annual Report of the Ombud. The Ombud Act requires the Ombud to prepare an annual report. The report includes information on the number of inquiries, complaints received. It can also include recommendations. The Speaker tables the report in the Legislative Assembly. Once tabled, the committee reviews the report.
As part of the review of the Ombud, Ms. Colette Langlois appeared before committee on February 11, 2022. Committee commends her userfriendly approach in her annual report. The strong visuals, plain language, and ample statistics provided an excellent template to understand the Ombud’s activities. The Committee’s report follows up on previous recommendations from the Ombud and from committee to improve the Ombud Act – work that the Government of the Northwest Territories has declined to pursue in the life of the 19th Assembly.
Committee also makes two substantive recommendations in this report:
First, that the GNWT review and amend the Ombud Act by Fall 2025; and.
Second, that the Speaker amend the Rules of the Northwest Territories Assembly to allow annual reports of statutory officers to be made available to the public sooner.
Committee is pleased to submit this report to the Legislative Assembly and looks forward to its consideration. Individual Members may have comments on the report, and I would like to thank the committee for their work on this report. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you. I will now open the floor to general comments on the Committee Report 3419(2), Standing Committee on the Government Operations Report on the Review of the 20202021 Annual Report of the Ombud. There are no comments. Mr. Johnson.
