Debates of March 14, 2007 (day 2)

Question.

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 7 has had second reading and will be referred to a standing committee.

Second reading of bills. Honourable Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to proceed with second reading of Bill 6.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Boot Lake, that Bill 6, Workers' Compensation Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill repeals and replaces the existing Workers' Compensation Act and makes consequential amendments to other acts in order to clarify and extend entitlement to compensation when a worker suffers a personal injury, disease or fatality arising out of and during the course of employment.

To nightlight the importance of workers safety in the new act, the name of the Workers' Compensation Board is changed to the Workers' Safe and Compensation Commission and the accident fund is renamed as the safety fund.

The levels of compensation payable to workers for various forms of disability have been rationalized and increased. In exceptional cases, the commission will have the power to grant extended compensation. Vocational training and rehabilitation are given increased emphasis.

The range of compensation available to workers has been expanded. The entitlement of spouses and persons in a conjugal relationship to compensation has also been widened to include a larger group of persons and a higher level of pensions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Motion is on the floor. Motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.

Question.

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 6 has had second reading and is referred to a standing committee.

---Applause

Second reading of bills. Honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek consent to proceed with second reading of Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Child and Family Services Act to provide that an application for a court order must be filed within four days after a child is apprehended under the act, and a hearing must be held within nine days after the application is filed. If the court determines there are reasonable grounds for the apprehension, the court shall make an order confirming or continuing the apprehension.

In cases where an apprehension is made on the grounds that a child needs protection by reason of a refusal of medical care or treatment, the court may make an interim order continuing the apprehension until the determination of the court application for a declaration that the child needs protection and for an order authorizing the medical care or treatment.

For all other applications, a court order confirming an apprehension expires unless, within 45 days after the apprehension, a further application is made to the court for a declaration that the child is in need of protection and for a further court order for the protection of the child.

The bill makes changes in terminology to distinguish the new apprehension orders from child protection orders which are made in proceedings under the current act.

The bill also makes minor adjustments in the act to correct errors or clarify provisions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Motion is on the floor. Motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.

Question.

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 5 has had second reading and is referred to a standing committee.

Second reading of bills. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation, Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to proceed with second reading of Bill 4, Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation Act.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Weledeh, that Bill 4, Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill establishes the Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation and provides that the corporation owns the common shares of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, and has the same board of directors, chairperson, vice-chairperson and president as the Northwest Territories Power Corporation. The objects of the Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation relate generally to the generation, supply and sale of electricity in the Northwest Territories, with one object pertaining specifically to the Twin Gorges hydroelectric generating facility on the Taltson River.

Consequential amendments will be made to the Financial Administration Act, Northwest Territories Power Corporation Act, Public Service Act Public Utilities Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Motion is on the floor. Motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.

Question.

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 4 has had second reading and is referred to a standing committee.

Second reading of bills. The honourable Minister responsible for Justice, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to proceed with second reading of Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Legal Services Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Legal Services Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Legal Services Act to provide that a lawyer employed by the Legal Services Board does not breach requirements relating to conflicts of interest by reason only of advising or representing a person involved in a dispute with a second person who is advised or represented by a second lawyer employed by the board. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Motion is on the floor. Motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.

Question.

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 3 has had second reading and is referred to a standing committee. Second reading of bills. The honourable Minister responsible for Justice, Mr. Bell.

Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to proceed with second reading of Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Condominium Act. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Condominium Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Condominium Act. Provisions are added to regulate the development of condominiums and the sale of units, and to permit the development of condominiums in phases and the amalgamation of condominiums. The developer and condominium corporation are required to disclose relevant information to owners, purchases, mortgagees and tenants, and parties are afforded protections where material changes are made in respect of the condominium. Provisions are added to facilitate the transfer of control from the developer to the purchasers of a new condominium development, and to extend protections for tenants on the conversion of rental accommodations to a condominium. Annual general meetings must be convened within fixed periods and with certain mandatory agenda items. The process for making condominium corporation bylaws, including those that provide for sanctions, is clarified, and the requirements for making changes to the declaration and plan, or for terminating a condominium, have been simplified. Affected persons are given a right to apply to the Supreme Court to object to a bylaw or a change to the declaration of plan. The voting rights of owners, and mortgagees in certain cases, are specified. New requirements are added relating to the rental of units and protections are afforded to tenants, owners and the condominium corporations. Requirements for the establishment and use of the common expenses funds are expanded, and a new obligation is placed on condominium corporations to establish a capital reserve fund and develop a comprehensive plan to repair or replace depreciating property. A requirement that a reserve fund study be conducted over five years is added. The condominium corporation is required to obtain insurance with respect to the common elements, sand a number of minor changes are made to the act. The regulation-making powers are expanded to address requirements set out in this bill, and transitional provisions are included to deal with the applications of the amendments after they are brought into force. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Motion is on the floor. Motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.

Question.

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 2 has had second reading and is referred to a standing committee.

Second reading of bills. The honourable Minister responsible for Justice, Mr. Bell.

Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to proceed with second reading of Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Partnership Act.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Partnership Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Partnership Act to allow for, and to establish rules and procedures governing, the registration in the Northwest Territories of limited liability partnerships formed in the Northwest Territories, or formed in another jurisdiction but carrying on business in the NWT. In addition, the bill includes amendments to update or clarify the language of various provisions of the act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Motion is on the floor. Motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.

Question.

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 1 has had second reading and is referred to a standing committee.

Mr. Speaker, orders of the day for Wednesday, May 9, 2007, at 1:30 p.m.:

Prayer

Ministers' Statements

Members' Statements

Returns to Oral Questions

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Oral Questions

Written Questions

Returns to Written Questions

Replies to Opening Address

Petitions

Reports of Standing and Special Committees

Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills

Tabling of Documents

Notices of Motion

Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills

Motions

- Motion 1-15(6): Territorial Power Subsidy Program

First Reading of Bills

Second Reading of Bills

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Report of Committee of the Whole

Third Reading of Bills

Orders of the Day

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Colleagues, before we adjourn today, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Pages who have served us over the last five weeks…

---Applause

…and wish them continued success in their academic endeavours. We have had students from the following schools and communities: Sir John Franklin and William McDonald schools in Yellowknife;

---Applause

…and from the communities of Fort Resolution, Hay River, Whati and Inuvik.

---Applause

Our thanks to the Pages, their chaperons and the Page Program organizers.

Members, I know that when you leave this House today, you are all heading into a very busy spring. Although the House will not meet again until early in May, the work of government, committees and representing your constituents continues.

Committees are travelling throughout the Territories in April to consult with the people of the North on a number of important issues. I encourage all northerners to take part in their consultations and public meetings whenever possible. Your input is a vital component to the work we do here, and these consultations are your opportunity to make a contribution.

Also, Members, a reminder that the territorial Youth Parliament will be meeting in this House during the week of April 30th to May 4th. This is a wonderful opportunity for the youth of our territory to obtain first-hand experience and knowledge of the workings of government. As I stated last week, the theme of the 2007 Youth Parliament will focus on enhancing the role of women and politics. In continuing with this theme of women as leaders, our Legislature will also host, during that same week, a meeting of the Commonwealth women parliamentarians. It will be an exciting week for our Legislature, allowing our young men and women -- our future leaders -- an opportunity to meet and learn from the experienced parliamentarians.

Until we meet again in May, I wish all Members safe travels and good health.

Accordingly, I adjourn this House until May 9, 2007, at 1:30 p.m.

---Applause

---ADJOURNMENT

The House adjourned at 16:27 p.m.