Rebuilding Confidence: The Report of the Review Commission on Constituency Allowances and Related Matters is a comprehensive piece of work that will usher in a new era of accountability in the Newfoundland and Labrador legislative assembly, said the Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Premier released Chief Justice J. Derek Green's report today, which is comprised of an executive summary, recommendations, draft legislation and various appendices.

"The report is the result of many months of intensive work, and I am very pleased to release it for public consumption," said Premier Williams. "Despite some of the negativity that led to the commissioning of this report, this is a very proud day for our government as the report represents the culmination of our government�s commitment to bringing openness and transparency back into the House of Assembly. We started on this process by reinstating the Auditor General who was banished by the previous administration. The result of that move by our government will be an improved system in which the public can have confidence."

From a historical perspective on where the issues in the House of Assembly began, the report offers a break down of four eras: 1989 to 1996 the Morgan Era; 1996-2001 the Policy Shift Era; 2001-2003 the Hold the Line Era; and 2003-2006 the Refocusing Era.

"This time line puts into perspective how processes and systems in the House of Assembly have changed and evolved, and I am pleased with the recognition that, under our administration, there is a sense of renewal," added the Premier.

The Premier said the report will serve as the basis for new rules and regulations governing the House of Assembly and Members of the House of Assembly on a go forward basis. Comprised of more than 1,300 pages, this report represents a tremendous amount of time, energy and dedication by all members of the commission.

The report contains 80 recommendations in total. The recommendations fall under the categories of failures, responsibility, structure, controls, audits, compensation, allowances, pensions and renewals. The Premier said government is continuing to review the report and will be in a position in the coming weeks to lay out an implementation plan.

"Chief Justice Green entitled his report Rebuilding Confidence and I very much appreciate that title because, when our government commissioned this report, that was exactly our goal: to rebuild public confidence in our province�s legislative assembly and the people who offer themselves up for public service," added the Premier. "The report is the result of many months of intensive work and the Chief Justice and his team should be very proud of this document. I thank the entire team for their hard work."

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Media contact:
Elizabeth Matthews
Office of the Premier
709.729.3960 or 709.351.1227
elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca

2007 06 07                                                    11:15 a.m.