R.J. Simpson

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present to the House Bill 82, Legal Profession Act, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: Plain Language Summary for Bill 79, An Act to Amend the Judicature Act.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And we did learn lessons from COVID. That's why this budget includes the biggest overhaul to the income assistance program in a generation with millions of dollars more budgeted that will go directly to clients. The situation the Member's talking about, though, in the future we're still going to see those situations because at the end of the day, the program requires people to declare their income. And if they don't declare their income, there's consequences. However, we are looking at even that aspect. There needs to be some rules but we're definitely taking a more...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So as I said, we did exempt CERB, but we did not exempt the subsequent support programs, but we did inform all applicants that if they received those programs, they needed to declare it. So at this point, I can't go back and exempt some individuals and not others because others did declare it, and they didn't receive this benefit. And so it wouldn't be fair in that sense. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With us today we have Mr. Matthew Miller, the president of the NWT Teachers Association, and Mr. David Murphy, the executive director of the NWT Teachers Association. They're joining us today for the rest reading of the Education Act bill that I'll be moving forward later. And Mr. Speaker, I also want to recognize my mother Bayline's in the gallery, as well as my spouse Chantelle Lafferty. Welcome.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And earlier I said that, you know, we have an independent commission to deal with our renumeration because nobody wants politicians deciding how much they're going to make. But as my own Industry, Tourism and Investment, I see what inflation is these days, and even though this bill is not proposing that we have an increase according to inflation this year, I think that in solidarity with the people who are struggling financially, that I am going to support this motion. And I will say I am supporting this as MLA. This is not a position of the government. So this is not...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Committee also wishes to consider Bill 60.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize Pat Burnstad, the vice president the NWT Seniors Society, a constitutent of mine and I would say a pillar of the community. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that Bill 63, An Act to Amend the Official Languages Act, be read for the third time. And Mr. Speaker, I request a recorded vote. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. So there is actually an independent commission to review Members' compensation and benefits. It is required to be established under the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act. It's appointed with individuals who are independent, neutral, and knowledgeable according to the legislation, and that commission is supposed to review and make recommendations about Members' compensation. That's because nobody wants politicians deciding what they get paid. This bill is to adjust the indemnities and allowances for Members. So despite the fact that this Act contains a...