Thank you, Member. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Just one last comment. I think this is a great idea, but we just have to make sure that we always, like I said when I led in, plan for the worst, and make sure that we have as much built in so we have a protection for any of those worst-case scenarios. Marsi cho.
Thank you, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Member for Deh Cho.
Mahsi, Madam Chair. I see that this would be used in exceptional circumstances. I guess we are talking about, maybe, this situation as an example, the pandemic. I don't know what other circumstances there would be that we should be aware of, perhaps, because it just could be used at any time. There would be concerns with that, especially when we are looking at determining quorum for a circumstance like this. That's why we need to know what type of circumstances. If we had a list or examples of them in this legislation, or this act, it doesn't go far enough here. It's a broad stroke of the pen here. They can use it anywhere at any time, it seems like.
I would like to see more defined circumstances where this would be used, especially for quorum. The concern there is that it's bad enough that we can't be in person; we're going to be left out of whatever discussions are being discussed at the time. I'm assuming it would have to be an emergency thing, but what is deemed as an emergency? What is it? We need more details on this here so that it's not going to be abused. If we could get more clarification on that, especially for quorum, too, maybe we need more explanation underneath there, so you're not all of a sudden holding a meeting over here and you're leaving me out; that type of thing where we're leaving somebody out. I don't think that's fair if there are going to be discussions on any particular subject.
I am also wondering about the languages, also, whether there would be translation services provided for these. I know languages are very important. We are in the land of the Dene people in the Northwest Territories. I did express that I wanted to see every translator here for this sitting. I didn't get much support, because you didn't need 22; you could have still had 11. You could have accommodated them. It creates employment for the translators, plus it's being translated out there to the public. They are kind of assuring me that they are going to translate documents or translate them in some other fashion moving forward. I don't know if that's even going to happen. Those are questions that I have for this one here. Mahsi.
Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Madam Chair. A couple of points there; I would like to begin with the languages. The intention here is that we will put forward, if we use this technology, we will use software that allows simultaneous translation. All of the other rules that apply to the Legislative Assembly still apply to the Members, the point of privilege, and the rules and procedures committee, as they have rules related to translation would apply in this case. It is completely the intention to allow simultaneous translation if and when we use this.
In regard to defining exceptional circumstances in the act, I want to point out that this is the enabling legislation in the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act. Not everything is contained within this act. There were further details in the rules of the Legislative Assembly, and following this, it is expected to be brought to the rules and procedures committee, and some parameters around exceptional circumstances are to be defined.
As I said in my opening statement, we are really thinking of scenarios similar to COVID-19. Other scenarios, if there were massive forest fire seasons and Members had an inability to travel, it would be similar. The issue of a quorum appearing digitally without Members getting notice and the Speaker attempting to do that is just not possible. It's not a concern that we are going to have some sort of on-the-spot digital sitting without Members having notice and those exceptional circumstances being explained by the Speaker as per the rules set out. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Member for Deh Cho.
That's fine. Thanks.
Member for Hay River South.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I support this motion, as well. I think it's time that we take somewhat of a lead in the way we conduct business here in the NWT. We expect students to use video conferencing, and I think that we have to set the example. With respect to exceptional circumstances, and then, further down, we see the Speaker has discretion, there are two variances there in that meaning. I think, if that goes to the rules and procedures committee and gets dealt with, I'm fine with that. I don't really have any questions. I just wanted to make a comment and show my support for the motion. Thank you.
Thank you. Member for Thebacha.
I want to go on the record, too, that I do support the legislation. I am not a computer person, but I seem to manage. I seem to get my view out there. I don't want to hold back. We have to be role models, especially when it comes to our younger generations at the high schools and the colleges. I have done that in the community, and I continue to do that. I will never hold back progress. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I think this is a very much needed change in the legislation. I am proud of this Legislative Assembly for putting this forward. My one concern would be in terms of how this Assembly understands why we're putting this forward and what the intent of this is, but in future Assemblies, how do we ensure that the intent of this is consistent, both within this Assembly and to future Assemblies with different Speakers and a different team. I think I am satisfied that this is going to go forward to the rules and procedures committee where that will be discussed. Thank you.
Thank you. I will take that as a comment. Madam Premier.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I think this is a great piece of legislation. It's 2020, and I'm old. I struggle with technology, but my children and grandchildren pick it up from two years old. It's time that we got into the technical world. I am not worried about future Assemblies. I do believe, Madam Chair, that this is the way of the future. This is proactive, and we are part of that future. I adhere to that. I also know that, with COVID-19, we are looking at possibly a second wave in the fall. If that happens, it would be necessary for us to go right back into confinement. If we are in confinement, there is legislation that says we have to meet a certain amount of times in this House. This will actually address that and make sure that we are all obeying the law and able to perform the duties that we need to do as an Assembly. I am 99.9 percent in favour of this. The only half percent is my own inadequacies with technology. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Madam Premier. Are there any further comments to this bill? Can we proceed to a clause-by-clause review of the bill?
Agreed.
Committee, we will defer the bill number and title until after consideration of clauses. Please turn to page 1 of the bill. Clause 1, does committee agree?
Agreed.
Clause 2, does committee agree?
Agreed.
We will now return to the bill number and title. Members, Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act. Does committee agree?
Agreed.
Committee, to the bill as a whole. Does committee agree that the Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, is now ready for third reading?
Agreed.
Thank you, committee. Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act is now ready for third reading?
Agreed.
Thank you, committee. Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act is now ready for third reading. Does committee agree that this concludes our consideration of Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act?
Agreed.
Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North, and thanks to our witnesses. Sergeant-at-Arms, you will please escort the witnesses from the Chamber. Mr. Mercer and Mr. Reddy, thank you. With that, Mr. Norn.
Marsi cho, Madam Chair. I move that we rise and report progress.
Thank you. There is a motion on the floor to report progress. The motion is in order and non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? Abstentions? Motion is carried.
---Carried
I will now rise and report progress.
Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Tabled Document 30-19(2), Main Estimates 2020-2021, and Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act. I would like to report progress with one motion carried and that Bill 6 is ready for third reading. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Do we have a seconder? Member for Range Lake. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.
---Carried
Orders of the day for Tuesday, June 2, 2020, at 1:30 p.m.:
Prayer
Ministers' Statements
Members' Statements
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills
Reports of Standing and Special Committees
Returns to Oral Questions
Acknowledgements
Oral Questions
Written Questions
Returns to Written Questions
Replies to Commissioner's Address
Petitions
Tabling of Documents
Notices of Motion
Motions
Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills
First Reading of Bills
Second Reading of Bills
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Tabled Document 30-19(2), Main Estimates 2020-2021
Report of Committee of the Whole
Third Reading of Bills
Orders of the Day
Thank you, Mr. Clerk. This House stands adjourned until Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at 1:30 p.m.
---ADJOURNMENT
The House adjourned at 5:39 p.m.
