Hon. Mr. Mackintosh

Clerk Assistant (Mr. Rick Yarish): Good morning. Will the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections please come to order? Our first order of business is the election of a Chairperson. Are there nominations?

Mr. Stan Struthers (Dauphin-Roblin): I nominate the very capable Member for Interlake (Mr. Nevakshonoff).

Clerk Assistant: Mr. Nevakshonoff has been nominated. Are there further nominations? Seeing none, Mr. Nevakshonoff is appointed Chairperson. Please take the Chair.

Mr. Chairperson: This meeting has been called to consider the appointment of a Conflict of Interest Commissioner. Before we get started, are there any suggestions from the committee as to how long we should sit this morning?

Mr. Jim Rondeau (Assiniboia): Until the business is concluded, Mr. Chairperson.

Mr. Chairperson: Is that acceptable to the committee? [Agreed]

For the information of the committee, sections 19.5(1) of The Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Conflict of Interest Act states that on the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council shall appoint a Conflict of Interest Commissioner. The act also specifies that the commissioner is to be appointed on a part-time basis. These provisions were passed as amendments to the act earlier this year during the Third Session of the Thirty-seventh Legislature.

What is the will of the committee regarding the process to be followed in the consideration of this matter?

Hon. Gord Mackintosh (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I know there have been some discussions across party lines over the last several weeks. It would be my suggestion that the appointment process proceed with the recommendation from this committee. I would recommend that Bill Norrie be recommended to Cabinet for appointment.

Mr. Chairperson: The Clerk informs me that the recommendation, as a rule, has to be in the form of a written motion, so would you comply in that regard?

Mr. Mackintosh: I move the following:

It is recommended

THAT William "Bill" Norrie be appointed the Conflict of Interest Commissioner.

Mr. Chairperson: It has been moved by the Minister of Justice

THAT Mr. William Norrie be appointed the Conflict of Interest Commissioner.

The motion is in order. All those in favour?

Some Honourable Members: Agreed.

Mr. Chairperson: It is agreed unanimously. The motion is accordingly passed.

Anything further?

An Honourable Member: Committee rise.

Mr. Chairperson: Moved by Mr. Rondeau that committee rise. Agreed? [Agreed]

Committee rise.

COMMITTEE ROSE AT: 10:06 a.m.