I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories include in its policy on hydraulic fracturing requirements for fair and transparent communication and opportunities for public engagement throughout all phases of the development of shale oil and gas projects. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Your motion is in order. To the motion.
Question.
Question is being called.
---Carried
Thank you. Mr. Hawkins.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Just before I read the final motion, I once again want to thank the committee members for their efforts on this study, as well as I want to thank the Minister, Minister David Ramsay, and all the department who have helped facilitate this, including committee staff who helped facilitate a very good policy tour which I think will be helpful for years to come.
Madam Chair, that said, I move…
---Interjection
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Of course, we had some delegations that brought information, such as the Pembina Institute, which I would say most Members, if not all Members, thought it was very valuable.
That said… And Mr. Yakeleya, of course.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Your motion is in order. To the motion.
Question.
Question is being called.
---Carried
Does committee agree that that concludes committee’s consideration of Committee Report 6-17(3)?
Agreed.
Agreed. Thank you. Our next committee report is from the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures, Report on the Use of Tablet Computers in Formal Session of the Legislative Assembly. Mr. Bromley. Mr. Hawkins.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the Members be permitted to use tablet computers during all proceedings in the Chamber with the exception of the following times: during prayer, at any time when the Commissioner is present in the Chamber, during the Speaker’s opening and closing remarks and rulings, during votes, and at any other time designated pursuant to instructions of the Speaker;
Further, that the use of tablet computers be subject to the existing convention that any electronic device used in the Chamber must be on silent mode at all times. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Your motion is in order. To the motion.
Question.
Question is being called.
---Carried
Thank you. Mr. Menicoche.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the use of tablet computers during formal session be at all times subject to the overriding discretion of the Speaker to intervene to ensure order and decorum in the Chamber, and that if the use of any tablet computer is deemed to impinge on the decorum or dignity of the House, the Speaker may order the offending Member to discontinue use of the device. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The motion is in order. To the motion.
Question.
Question is being called.
---Carried
Thank you. Mr. Abernethy.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that this committee recommends that any necessary amendments to the rules of the Legislative Assembly to permit the use of tablet computers in formal session be brought forward for consideration of the Legislative Assembly in the February-March 2013 sitting of the Legislative Assembly;
And further, that guidelines governing the use of tablet computers be incorporated into an appendices to the Rules of the Legislative Assembly to be entitled “Direction Regarding the Use of Electronic Communication Devices in the Chamber;”
And furthermore, that pending change to the rules of the Legislative Assembly be recommendations in this report be treated as conventions and Members be permitted to use tablet computers in accordance with them. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Your motion is in order. To the motion.
Question.
Question is being called.
---Carried
Does committee agree that that concludes our consideration of the Report on the Use of Tablet Computers in Formal Session of the Legislative Assembly?
Agreed.
Thank you. Mr. Menicoche.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that we report progress.
---Carried
Thank you. I will now rise and report progress. Thank you, committee.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your committee has been considering Committee Report 6-17(3), Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure Report on the August 2012 Hydraulic Fracturing Study Tour, and Committee Report 7-17(3), Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Use of Tablet Computers in Formal Session, and I would like to report progress with 11 motions being adopted and that Committee Reports 6-17(3) and 7-17(3) are concluded. I move that the report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Do we have a seconder? Mr. Bromley.
---Carried
I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Bill 12, An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act, No. 2, be read for the third time. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Bill 12 has had third reading.
---Carried
Minister of Justice, Mr. Abernethy.
I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that Bill 13, An Act to Repeal the Credit Union Act, be read for the third time. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Bill 13 has had third reading.
---Carried
Mr. Bouchard.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that Bill 15, An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act, No. 3, be read for the third time.
Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. Bill 15 has had third reading.
---Carried
Colleagues, today concludes our Third Session of the 17th Legislative Assembly. Before we conclude, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our Pages we have had here over the last few weeks, our Pages that work so hard for us to help us do our business here in the House. They were from Lutselk’e, Fort Smith, Inuvik Boot Lake, Hay River Reserve, Fort McPherson, Hay River and Yellowknife.
---Applause
Thank you must go to the teachers and supervisors, chaperones and the Assembly staff that assist the Page Program. Without our Sergeant-at-Arms, this program would not be possible. Thank you for your hard work.
---Applause
I’d like to remind the Members that November 11th is fast approaching. I know there will be services and memorials throughout the NWT. So wherever you are on Remembrance Day, please take the opportunity to acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of those who have served and are continuing to serve in our Canadian Armed Forces.
I know that the Members are staying here in the capital for the next few days to finish up work here before returning home. I know that it’s going to be a good time to get home. I also know that Members are returning for scheduled committee meetings in both December and January. Our constituency work does not end here today.
However, since we will not meet in the Chamber again until next year, I’d like to be the first to wish all Members of the Northwest Territories happy holidays.
---Applause
Have a happy holiday season and safe travels whenever you return to your constituents and, most importantly, to your families. I look forward to seeing you back in the Chamber in the New Year.
Mr. Clerk, will you ascertain if the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, the Honourable George Tuccaro, is prepared to enter the Chamber to assent to bills and prorogue the Third Session of the 17th Assembly.
Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly, good afternoon.
I would like to invite the Premier of the Northwest Territories, the Honourable Robert R. McLeod, to join me in presenting the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal to two Members of the Legislative Assembly.
The Honourable J. Michael Miltenberger and Mrs. Jane Groenewegen, please come forward to the front of the Chamber. I now invite the Speaker to read the citation.
The Honourable J. Michael Miltenberger, MLA for Thebacha, and Mrs. Jane Groenewegen, MLA for Hay River South, have both served the people of the North as elected officials with great dedication and they continue to demonstrate leadership and extraordinary commitment to advance the programs and services for the people of their communities, their regions and the Northwest Territories.
They are currently the longest-serving Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, as both were elected in October of 1995. Their re-election to the 17th Legislative Assembly marks their fifth consecutive term, and once completed, they will join former Members Tom Butters and Ludy Pudluk as the only Members to have served a fifth consecutive term in the history of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories.
The Honourable J. Michael Miltenberger is currently the Minister of Finance, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation, and Government House Leader. During the 16th Assembly he served as Deputy Premier, Government House Leader, Minister of Finance, chair of the Financial Management Board, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Minister of Health and Social Services, Minister responsible for Persons with Disabilities, Minister responsible for Homelessness, and the Minister responsible for Seniors. During his time in the Legislature, he has served in a number of other portfolios as well. Mr. Miltenberger also stood as chair of the Financial Management Board and has led various committees over the years.
Mrs. Jane Groenewegen is currently the Deputy Speaker of the 17th Legislative Assembly. In addition to her work as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, she has served previously as Deputy Premier, Minister of Health and Social Services, Minister responsible for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities, as well as the Minister responsible for the Status of Women. During the 15th Assembly she also served as the Deputy Speaker.
Congratulations again to Mrs. Groenewegen and to the Honourable J. Michael Miltenberger for your very impressive contributions to the people of the NWT.
I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the recipients across the NWT who have been honoured by receiving the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal commemorating the 60th anniversary of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as Queen of Canada.
As we approach Remembrance Day, I would like to encourage all Northerners to join me in acknowledging and thanking the men and women who have taken part in past and present world conflicts. Especially those who have paid the ultimate price and have sacrificed their lives: We Will Remember.
I also take this opportunity to thank this Assembly for their good work this past year.
