Debates of October 30, 2006 (day 18)

Agreed.

Clauses 206 to 225.

Agreed.

Clauses 226 to 245.

Agreed.

Clauses 246 to 265.

Agreed.

Clauses 266 to 285.

Agreed.

Clauses 286 to 305.

Agreed.

Clauses 306 to 325.

Agreed.

Clauses 326 to 345.

Agreed.

Clauses 346 to 361.

Agreed.

Thank you. To the bill as a whole, as amended.

Agreed.

Thank you. Does committee agree that Bill 15, as amended, is ready for third reading?

Agreed.

Okay. Does committee agree Bill 15 is ready for third reading, as amended?

Agreed.

Thank you. Bill 15 is now ready for third reading, as amended. Thank you, Mr. Ramsay, Ms. Cooper, Mr. McLean.

Now I would like Members to turn to Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act. I will turn the floor over to Mr. Ramsay who has opening comments as the sponsor of the bill. Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I am pleased to provide opening comments to Bill 17 on behalf of the Legislative Assembly’s Board of Management.

Bill 17 amends the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act to set out certain rights and privileges of the Legislative Assembly to clarify the responsibilities of the Speaker, Board of Management and officers of the Legislative Assembly to define and ensure consistent use of certain terms and to make a number of minor changes to the act.

Madam Chair, Bill 17 is the result of a comprehensive review of the NWT Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act undertaken following the election of the 15th Legislative Assembly. To assist in the review, a comparative analysis of our legislation was conducted in comparison to other more modern acts of similar purposes in other Canadian and Commonwealth jurisdictions. Bill 17, in addition to clarifying confusing and ambiguous language, confirms that this NWT Legislative Assembly enjoys the same privileges and independence as others under the Westminster’s model. The bill clarifies the process for filling vacancies in the Legislative Assembly, distinguishes the sitting of the House from a session, clarifies the start date for various allowances for Members of the Legislative Assembly, and allows for the public release of reports of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner when the Legislative Assembly is not sitting.

Thank you, Madam Chair. That concludes my opening comments and I would be pleased to answer any questions Members may have.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. I would like to ask Mr. Ramsay if he would like to bring witnesses into the Chamber.

Yes, thank you, Madam Chair.

Does committee agree?

Agreed.

I would ask the Sergeant-at-Arms, then, to bring the witnesses to the witness table.

Mr. Ramsay, would you please introduce your witnesses for the record?

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, with me I have Mr. Mark Aitken from the Department of Justice, legislative branch, the director; to my right I have the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Tim Mercer.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Bill 17, general comments. Are there any general comments?

Detail.

Okay. Bill 17, clause 1.

Agreed.

Clause 2.

Agreed.

Clause 3.

Agreed.

Clause 4.

Agreed.

Clause 5.

Agreed.

Clause 6.

Agreed.

Clause 7.

Agreed.

Clause 8.

Agreed.

Clause 9.