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.

I’ll take it as a comment. As I mentioned, it’s fully consistent with what the Chief Electoral Officer has requested. As I mentioned in my opening statement, we’re always trying to work closely with the independent commissioners and continue that. Thank you.

Thank you. No, there will be no further funding requested. The Chief Electoral Officer position will still be staffed. It’s just the extra staff that was needed during the election period, so we’ll have the Electoral Officer, the Deputy Chief Electoral Officer position, and a part-time position, as well. Thank you.

Thank you. As most of the contracts expire at the end of March, due to our post-election year, a lot of the contracts are until a few months after the election or the following year, but we will have one staff, a returning deputy officer on staff, and a part-time position, as well. Thank you.

Yes, every year, it goes up by 2 percent, roughly.