Merci, Monsieur le President. It's not unusual for me to be a bit out of step with some of the other Members, here.
It has been my honour and privilege to serve the residents of Frame Lake, and indeed all the people of the Northwest Territories. It is an amazingly diverse riding. I've done my best to follow up on constituency matters, and hope to do the same in the 19th Assembly.
I need and want to acknowledge some people who have supported me, indeed all of us, while we've been here for the 18th Assembly. Most importantly, all of our families that loaned us to this great institution to make decisions on behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories. Thanks to my wife, Suzette; daughter, Amber; and son, Rene.
Thanks to all our fantastic staff who keep this place ticking over for us all. They are the unsung heroes of democracy, and few will ever know the sacrifices and hard work that they have made for the Northwest Territories.
I wish to especially acknowledge my constituency assistant, Craig Yeo, for his dedication and hard work.
Thanks to my colleagues in this House. You have put up with a lot from me. I'm the slowest and pickiest eater, I have a healthy scepticism of some traditions, and I'm never at a loss for words, Mr. Speaker.
That being said, I think you would have to agree that I do my homework, and more; I've been honest and respectful; admitted mistakes; and remain open to persuasion and new ideas. People do not send us here to agree with each other. Differences are healthy and lead to better decisions, even if it is a difficult journey.
I especially want to recognize those Members who do not live in Yellowknife. You have carried a much larger burden. I have the luxury of going home every evening, even if it is very late sometimes, and being with my family and friends. Thanks to the Members from outside Yellowknife for the additional sacrifices you have made.
I wish to commend you, Mr. Speaker, for your promotion and support of all of our official languages. Merci, mahsi, marsi, quyanainni, and thank you. Special thanks to the interpreters, who help keep all our official languages alive.
We have accomplished a lot together: a binding code of conduct with an independent Integrity Commissioner; modernized elections, with more opportunities than ever to vote; support for women in leadership; and making this Assembly friendlier for those with young families. More of our committee business is conducted in public than ever before, and we have improved communications of our proceedings.
We have 911 service for the Northwest Territories; an Ombud for the Northwest Territories; a much-improved Corrections Act; leading-edge access to information and protection of privacy legislation; a new hospital, that just happens to be in the Frame Lake riding; serious planning towards a university for the Northwest Territories, to help us build a knowledge economy; new protected areas legislation that lays out a clear process and accountabilities; and a lot more, Mr. Speaker. Forgive me if I've forgotten anything significant.
Much work remains, including action on our climate and caribou crises; system-wide improvements to education; universal childcare; better services for our seniors; adequate, affordable, and suitable housing for all our citizens; completion of Indigenous land rights agreements; and lots more.
Whether we are here or not for the 19th Assembly, I am convinced that we will all continue to do our part to make the Northwest Territories the best that it can be. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following four documents entitled "Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 16-18(3): Report on the Review of Bill 29: An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act"; "Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 34-18(3): Report on the Review of Bill 45: Corrections Act"; "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 18-18(3): Sexual Assault Reporting"; and "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 838-18(3): South Mackenzie Correctional Centre Therapeutic Model." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled "NWT Mineral Development Strategy Progress Report 2016-2019." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents entitled "Follow-up Letter to Oral Question 786-18(3): Nursing Services in Tsiigehtchic"; and "Follow-up Letter to Oral Question 787-18(3): New Services in Downtown Yellowknife." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled "Focus for the Future: A Strategic Response to the Challenge of Community Government Funding, August 2019." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Tabling of documents. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. I wish to table the following document. It's an August 22, 2019 email from Mr. Pentti Sjoman, Whati, 1,200 kW Nailii Hydro Project." Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Tabling of documents.
WHEREAS this Assembly referred the Members' Conduct Guidelines to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures for a comprehensive and public review, including a thorough examination of conduct guidelines from other organizations, both parliamentary and non-parliamentary, all relevant legislation, and the Rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, and that the standing committee report back to this Assembly during the fall sitting of 2016;
AND WHEREAS the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures provided an interim Report on the Review of Members' Conduct Guidelines to this Assembly on October 25, 2016;
AND WHEREAS the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures provided its final report, "You Are Standing For Your People: Report on the Review of the Members' Conduct Guidelines" to this Assembly on February 28, 2017;
AND WHEREAS the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommended that the Members' Conduct Guidelines serve as the basis for a new Members' Code of Conduct, including more specific and enforceable provisions, and that the new code be presented to the Assembly for consideration and adoption;
AND WHEREAS a Draft Code of Conduct for Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories was tabled in this House on March 11, 2019, and referred to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures for review;
AND WHEREAS, on August 15, 2019, the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures presented its Report on the Review of Bill 56, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, No. 2, and the draft Code of Conduct, and recommended changes to the Code of Conduct;
AND WHEREAS a revised Code of Conduct for Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories was tabled in this House on August 21, 2019, and identified as Tabled Document 509-18(3);
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that this Legislative Assembly adopt the Code of Conduct for Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, identified as Tabled Document 509-18(3). Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. The motion is in order. To the motion. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to request a recorded vote.
The Member for Yellowknife Centre, the Member for Deh Cho, the Member for Nunakput, the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, the Member for Range Lake, the Member for Great Slave, the Member for Yellowknife South, the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, the Member for Hay River South, the Member for Thebacha, the Member for Hay River North, the Member for Mackenzie Delta, the Member for Sahtu, the Member for Yellowknife North, the Member for Kam Lake, the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh, the Member for Nahendeh, the Member for Frame Lake.
Masi. All those opposed, please stand. All those abstaining, please stand. The results of the recorded vote: 18 in favour, zero opposed, zero abstentions. The motion is carried.
---Carried
Motions. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. WHEREAS the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories and all of its standing and special committees are conducted in accordance with the Rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories;
AND WHEREAS the current Rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories were adopted on May 27, 2015;
AND WHEREAS the current Rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories were considered by the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures, and recommendations for amendments were then referred to the caucus of the 18th Legislative Assembly for further consideration and approval;
AND WHEREAS a copy of the revised and approved Rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories was tabled in the House on August 21, 2019, and identified as Tabled Document 510-18(3);
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that this Legislative Assembly repeal the Rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories originally adopted on May 27, 2015, and adopt the newest version of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, identified as Tabled Document 510-18(3);
AND FURTHER, that the new Rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, upon adoption of this notice, come into effect August 23, 2019. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. The motion is in order. To the motion.
Question.
Question has been called. All those in favour. All those opposed? The motion is carried.
---Carried
Masi. Motions. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that, notwithstanding rule 4, when this House adjourns on August 23, 2019, it shall be adjourned until Thursday, October 24, 2019;
AND FURTHER, that, at any time prior to October 24, 2019, if the Speaker is satisfied, and after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice, and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as it has been duly adjourned to that time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. The motion is in order. To the motion.
Question.
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.
---Carried
Masi. Motions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
WHEREAS, under section 11(1) of the Northwest Territories Act (Canada), the Commissioner may dissolve the Legislative Assembly;
AND WHEREAS, under section 11(2) of the Northwest Territories Act (Canada), writs for the election of Members of the Legislative Assembly are to be issued on the Commissioner's instructions;
AND WHEREAS, under section 39(5) of the Elections and Plebiscites Act, subject to the power of the Commissioner to dissolve the Legislative Assembly under subsection 11(1) of the Northwest Territories Act (Canada), polling day for a general election must be the first Tuesday in October in the fourth calendar year following the polling day for the last general election;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that this Legislative Assembly request the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories to dissolve the 18th Assembly of the Northwest Territories on August 31, 2019, to permit polling day for a general election to be held on October 1, 2019;
AND FURTHER, that the Speaker transmit this resolution to the Commissioner. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. The motion is in order. To the motion. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would request a recorded vote.
The Member for Yellowknife Centre, the Member for Deh Cho, the Member for Nunakput, the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, the Member for Range Lake, the Member for Great Slave, the Member for Yellowknife South, the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, the Member for Hay River South, the Member for Thebacha, the Member for Hay River North, the Member for Mackenzie Delta, the Member for Sahtu, the Member for Yellowknife North, the Member for Kam Lake, the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh, the Member for Nahendeh, the Member for Frame Lake.
Masi. All those opposed, please stand. All those abstaining, please stand. The results of the recorded vote: 18 in favour, zero opposed, zero abstentions. The motion is carried.
---Carried
Motions. Member for Deh Cho.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to return to item 5. Mahsi.
---Unanimous consent granted
