Frederick Blake Jr.

Members, welcome back to the Legislative Assembly. Our Chamber looks very different. There are more seats and tables, to allow Members to physically distance themselves. I thank Members for their cooperation. These steps and others, such as hand washing, hand sanitizing, and changing how we move around in the building, have been taken to reduce the risk of COVID-19.

Before we begin today, I would like to extend the condolences of this House and my personal condolences to all who have lost a loved one recently. Such a loss is never easy. During these uncertain times, it has become particularly...

Colleagues, thank you for being here today. We were scheduled for an extended adjournment on Friday of last week, and I know that we were all looking forward to returning to our constituencies over the weekend.

On Friday, I took the unusual step of recalling the House to sit today. This was not a decision that I made hastily, but with careful consideration following my discussions with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly.

The situation we are currently facing with the COVID-19 virus is very fluid. Each and every day we learn more about this virus.

Colleagues, following...

Colleagues, pursuant to Motion 6-19(2), I hereby give notice that I will recall this House to sit on Monday, March 16, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. After consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, I am satisfied that the public interest requires that the House meet earlier than the scheduled resumption of the House on March 24, 2020.

In light of the growing concern surrounding COVID-19, I believe it is in the public interest for Members of this House to consider and adopt an interim appropriation bill to approve routine government expenditures for the first three...

Colleagues, it is my duty to inform you of the passing yesterday of former Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, Mr. John Havelock Parker.

Mr. Parker was born and raised in Alberta and came north in 1954. He worked in the mining and exploration industry in various capacities over the years. His first step into public office was his election as a town councillor of Yellowknife in 1958. In 1965, Mr. Parker was appointed to the Carrothers Commission on the Political Development of the Northwest Territories. Its recommendations became a draft for the development of a more responsible...

Good afternoon, Members. On February 27, 2020, the Member for Monfwi raised a point of privilege. The point of privilege raised was that the Premier acted beyond her authority when terminating the appointment of the president of Aurora College. It was suggested that the Premier had breached the collective privileges of this House and acted against the dignity and authority of this Assembly as per Rule 20. The Member also stated that the Premier obstructed the ability of this Legislature in carrying out its lawmaking functions.

As Speaker, I must determine two matters:

first, whether a matter of...

Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Thank you, Madam Chair. With me today, we have Ms. Kim Wickens, deputy clerk of Members and Precinct Services, and also, my right-hand man, Mr. Tim Mercer, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly.

Yes, I do, Madam Chair. Thank you, Madam Chair. I am pleased to present the 2020-2021 Main Estimates for the Legislative Assembly. The Legislative Assembly is seeking an operations expenditures appropriation of $22,720,000 for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. This is an increase of $277,000, or a 1.23 percent increase, in funding from the 2019-2020 Main Estimates.

This budget represents the important work we will undertake during the upcoming fiscal year. The proposed funding will be used to advance strategic initiatives and address forced-growth matters. These are:

additional staff resources for our...

Thank you. Including the Ombud, there are three positions. We have the Ombud plus two staff. Thank you.

Thank you. It's adding one position to a full-time position, and also an investigator which the Information and Privacy Commissioner felt that they needed in order, instead of things going to litigation, to try to resolve them, I do believe. Thank you.