Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, would the Minister commit to finding the funding for the placement of two medical social workers with the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Can the Minister give me, I guess, a brief explanation of exactly what the duties would be or what the responsibilities would be for a medical social worker? And she said that they were sort of being provided off the side of a desk, and has that been beneficial. Thank you.

Just bear with me here.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'd like to table the following documents: Plain Language Summery for Bill 58: An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act; and, the Plain Language Summery for Bill 59: An Act to Amend the Elections and Plebiscites Act. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the NWT is known as a leader in one area, unfortunately that area is with respect to the national crime rate. Since 2005, except for a small blip, we have been in first place. However, Mr. Speaker, when it comes to justice, we all have a part to play, whether we're a parent, teacher, health worker, police, judge, lawyer it doesn't matter. So Mr. Speaker, I'd ask the Minister of Justice if he can confirm what the resulting factors are that have contributed to the increase in the NWT crime rate while we see the correctional centres are showing a steady...

Mr. Speaker, over the last few years the number of violent and nonviolent offences all appear to be on the rise throughout the NWT. Although crime impacts everyone, the stigma once attached to it is gone. It has become part of our disposable society and is all too common and all too routine.

Mr. Speaker, as with other Northern communities, Hay River is not isolated from increasing crime. Our community has had, and continues to have, our fair share of crime and quite frankly residents are frustrated that current enforcement practices do not appear to be effective or working. It is now reaching a...

This bill amends the Elections and Plebiscite Act to implement proposed changes identified by the Chief Electoral Officer in their report following the 2019 General Election and the Legislative Assembly's Committee of the Whole after reviewing the Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on rules and procedures report to the Legislative Assembly on February 23rd, 2021, and its motions of March 30th, 2021. Additional amendments are proposed as modernized language. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 8.2(7) and have Bill 58 referred to Committee of the Whole for consideration later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Member for Hay River North, that Bill 58, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, be read for the second time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I said that we all had a part to play in curbing crimes and crime rate. You know, without involvement of everybody, we're never going to see change. You know, we have there's a relationship between crime and people's help. So if we're going to do something, we've got to do it together.

So, Mr. Speaker, can the Minister confirm what discussions, if any, are taking place with the federal government on solutions for the NWT to reduce crime rate and make our communities safer? Thank you.