Glen Abernethy

Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Elections and Plebiscite Act be amended to change the period for mail-in ballots by enabling an elector to apply to the CEO to vote by special ballot up to two weeks before the issue of the writ for an electoral district continuing until the 10th day before polling day; and to provide that the CEO does not provide special ballots until after the close of the nomination period. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the government review practices in other jurisdictions concerning government advertising during election campaigns, and develop appropriate guidelines for election year advertising by the year of 2014. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the Chief Electoral Officer develop a standard, based on accounting principles that reflect the depreciated value, for calculating the value of campaign expenses for signs that are reused from previous elections.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to take this opportunity to recognize a couple of Pages from the Great Slave riding and thank them and all the other Pages for all the hard work that they’ve done for us over the last couple of weeks. I’d like to recognize Muhammad Awan and Linda Charlie from the Great Slave riding.

I move that this committee recommends that the “housekeeping” amendments, which are identified by the Chief Electoral Officer on pages 42 to 45 of the Report of the Chief Electoral Officer, with the exception of his recommendation 21, be considered by legislative drafting during the preparation of the other amendments.

Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Chief Electoral Officer provide the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures with recommendations for additional specific enforcement powers for the Chief Electoral Officer, and substantiation for each of those powers.

Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Elections and Plebiscite Act be amended to define the term “sponsor” as a person or organization that pays for, provides or incurs the cost of the campaign material bearing their identification. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Chief Electoral Officer develop detailed recommendations to replace the provisions for advance polls in communities without returning officers and fewer than 500 residents, with a new special voting opportunity, and report back to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Chief Electoral Officer identify options for a clearer definition for the term “broadcasting” and report back to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled 2012 Annual Report on the Public Utilities Board of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.