Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to review with Members the history, intent and features of the Ministerial Travel Reports.
The Ministerial Travel Report summarizes each trip undertaken by a Minister with respect to his or her particular portfolios. The Reports itemizes the destination, purpose, dates, method of travel and the total costs of any Ministerial travel over $250.00 charged to the Government of the Northwest Territories.
For the purposes of these Reports, travel costs include the Minister’s transportations costs and associated meals and accommodations. When Regular Members of the Legislative Assembly are invited to accompany a Minister their expenses are not currently included.
The Ministerial Travel Reports also report on any air charters specific to Ministerial travel, but do not report on departmental air charters involving several passengers on duty travel which may include, but are not dependent upon, a Minister’s participation.
Mr. Speaker, the Ministerial Travel Reports are published by the Department of Executive on a quarterly basis and are posted to the Government’s website. There is no legislative or policy-based requirement to post these reports; but they have been posted, within 6 months of the end of each quarter, for the past decade. Currently, there are 38 individual Travel Reports posted to the website. These Reports cover the period from January 1st 2004 to June 30th 2013. The Report for the quarter ending September 2013 is scheduled to be posted by the 14th of this month.
The Reports are intended to provide the interested public with information sufficient to make an informed request for more detailed information should any resident feel more detailed information is required. Over the last ten years the Ministerial Travel Reports have led to several requests under our Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act for more specific records. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that each of those requests received positive responses which satisfied both the individual applicants and the requirement of our legislation. This is testament to the efficacy and value of the Ministerial Travel Reports.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.