Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Madam Chair. I support this motion.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two motions. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, October 20th, 2022, I will move the following motion:

Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North, that the Legislative Assembly recommend the reappointment of the following individual to the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission effective immediately for a term of four years:

Mr. Yacub Adam of the City of Yellowknife.

And further, that the Legislative Assembly recommend the appointment of the following individual to the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, this recommendation relates to the transition allowance that former Members are entitled to when they leave office. While I understand and appreciate the intention of this recommendation, it would make the calculation of the transition allowance unnecessarily complicated and may bring it out of line with the coolingoff period that applies to all Members when they leave office. I think the transition allowance is fine as it is and therefore I recommend defeat of this motion. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Madam Chair, this recommendation is a little confusing as one of the duties of an Electoral Boundaries Commission laid out in legislation is to recommend the names of electoral districts. As we will see a little later, the commission has recommended a minor change to the name of one district. I am not certain that we have adequate time to complete this review and change legislation prior to the next election, Madam Chair, but I support the recommendations. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that this Assembly recommends that if a Member is removed from a committee, the $2,000 stipend would be removed and prorated to the date of removal. If they become a Member of another committee, the stipend would be reinstated once they become a Member of that committee. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Madam Chair, I support this motion. This is a useful document for those thinking about running for office, and it should be updated in time for the next election. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It sounded like that was just kind of a generalization so there wasn't any really specific answer, I guess, with respect to, you know, any restrictions by the federal government. But I'll move on.

Mr. Speaker, residents and businesses are concerned that they are required to cover the cost above the advanced payment received for damages and then submit receipts for reimbursement for the other half. The only way for many to accomplish this is through a loan as many do not have the funds available. I'd like to ask the Minister is this a federal or GNWT requirement, and...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I support this motion.

Madam Chair, I recommend that this motion be accepted. I know that even minor adjustments to the electoral boundaries can be problematic for both Members, candidates, and most importantly residents. But some of the ridings in Yellowknife have grown much more rapidly than others and rebalancing is required. The same is true to a lesser extent in Inuvik. We strike independent Commissions to do this work for us to try and keep politics out of these important decisions. Madam Chair, I support the recommendations. Thank you.

I move that this Assembly recommends that the basic indemnity payable to every Member, with the exception of the Speaker, Premier, and Ministers, be reduced by $4,000.

And further, that Members, with the exception of the Speaker, Premier, and Ministers, receive a stipend of $2,000 for each standing committee they are a member of, to a maximum of $4,000. If a Member sits on more than two committees, there will be no additional stipend paid. Thank you, Madam Chair.