Mr. Chair, at this time I would like to declare a conflict of interest on this bill.
For the record Mr. Yakeleya has declared a conflict of interest on this bill.
At this time I’d like to ask the Minister if he’d like to introduce the bill’s opening comments. Mr. Miltenberger.
Mr. Chairman, I’m here to introduce Bill 17, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2008–2009.
This bill requests authority for the forgiveness of certain debts listed in the schedule of the act.
Pursuant to section 25 of the Financial Administration Act, the forgiveness of a debt obligation to the government exceeding $1,000 must receive Legislative Assembly approval. When a debt is forgiven, no further collection action shall be pursued.
The forgiveness of certain debts being proposed in this act will not require a new appropriation. Allowances for doubtful accounts were charged to an appropriation at the time it was determined that collection of the debt was considered unlikely.
The accounts being recommended for forgiveness are the results of bankruptcy, compromise settlements or are in the public interest. In cases where a compromise settlement is reached, the following factors have been considered:
the possibility of future recoveries;
the cost to continue legal actions; and
the value of security associated with the debt.
That concludes my opening remarks. I would be pleased to answer any questions the Members may have.
At this time I’d like to ask the committee responsible for the bill if they have any comments. Mr. Abernethy.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Standing Committee on Government Operations reviewed Bill 17, the Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2008–2009, at a meeting on October 3. Following the clause by clause review a motion was carried to report to the Assembly that Bill 17 is now ready for consideration by Committee of the Whole.
This concludes the committee’s general comments on Bill 17. Individual Members may have comments or questions as we proceed.
At this time I would like to ask the Minister if he will bring in any witnesses.
Yes, Mr. Chairman.
Sergeant-at-Arms, could you escort the witnesses in again.
For the record, Mr. Miltenberger, could you introduce your witnesses.
This is Ms. Margaret Melhorn, deputy minister of the Financial Management Board, and Ms. Louise Lavoie, assistant comptroller general of the Financial Management Board.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Welcome, witnesses. General comments in regard to Bill 17? Clause by clause. I’ll get you to move to page 3 of Bill 17 with regard to Schedule, Debts Forgiven. Moving on to page 5, Total: $855,168.32.
Bill 17, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2008–2009, Debts Forgiven, Total: $855,168.32, approved.
Moving back to page 1 with regard to the preamble.
Preamble approved.
Clauses 1 and 2 approved.
To the bill as a whole.
Bill 17 as a whole approved.
Does the committee agree that Bill 17 is ready for third reading?
Bill 17, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2008–2009, approved for third reading.
Bill 17 is now ready for third reading.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Thank you, witnesses. Sergeant-at-Arms, could you escort the witnesses out.
As we agreed, per the schedule, we have Minister’s Statement 80-16(2), sessional statement. Mr. Abernethy.
I move to report progress.
Could I have the report of Committee of the Whole, please, Mr. Krutko.
Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 19, Donation of Food Act; Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act; Bill 16, Write-off of Debts Act, 2008–2009; Bill 17, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2008–2009. I would like to report that Bills 19, 14, 16 and 17 are ready for third reading.
I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. A motion is on the floor. The motion is in order. Do we have a seconder? The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
Motion carried.
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, be read for the third time.
Bill 14 has had third reading.
Motion carried; Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, read a third time.
Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to proceed with the third reading of Bill16, Write-off of Debts Act, 2008–2009.
Bill16 has had third reading.
Motion carried; Bill 16, Write-off of Debts Act, 2008–2009, read a third time.
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that Bill 17, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2008–2009, be read for the third time.
Bill 17 has had third reading.
Motion carried; Bill 17, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2008–2009, read a third time.
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Weledeh, that Bill 19, Donation of Food Act, be read for the third time.
Bill 19 has had third reading.
Motion carried; Bill 19, Donation of Food Act, read a third time.
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that Bill 21, Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2009–2010, be read for the third time.
Bill 21 has had third reading.
Motion carried; Bill 21, Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2009–2010, read a third time.
Honourable Members, good afternoon. It is such a pleasure to be back in your company, albeit a very short event today.
Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly, as Commissioner of the Northwest Territories I am pleased to assent to the following bills:
Bill 10 - An Act to Amend the Pharmacy Act
Bill 13 - An Act to Amend the Legal Profession Act
Bill 14 - An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act
Bill 16 - Write-off of Debts Act, 2008–2009
Bill 17 - Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2008–2009
Bill 19 - Donation of Food Act
Bill 21 - Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2009–2010.
Prior to proroguing this Second Session of the 16th Legislative Assembly, I wish to announce that the Third Session of the 16th Legislative Assembly will convene on Wednesday, October 22, 2008, at 1:30 p.m.
And now, as Commissioner of the Northwest Territories I hereby prorogue the Second Session of the 16th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. Thank you. Merci. Quyanainni.
The House prorogued at 5:48 p.m.
