Debates of May 29, 2018 (day 31)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 18, An Act to Amend the Cities, Towns and Villages Act, be read for the second time. This bill amends the Cities, Towns and Villages Act to authorize councils:

to impose a tax on tourist accommodations; and

to pass bylaws allowing property owners to finance, through local improvement charges, local improvements that are substantively energy efficiency works or renewable energy works.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I stand in support of the principle of this bill. It has been a long time coming. Members have advocated for these necessary changes that are long overdue. They have been advocated by the Cities, Towns and Villages Act for some years now, and I am very pleased to see the government bring this forward.

It is essential that we give our cities, towns, and villages the tools that they need to effectively maintain their operations and to take advantage of economic opportunities like tourism. In my community of Yellowknife, the need for a hotel levy has been long canvassed, and it is supported by the city council. I like to think that we have a very good working relationship with our local government here in the city. I am very pleased to see the government bring these changes forward so that we can start to get to work on it as a standing committee.

As chair of the committee that will be reviewing the bill, I also look forward to engaging with stakeholders in our cities, towns, and villages to make sure that this bill meets their needs and that we do our due diligence as a committee to ensure it is the best legislation possible, and we will get to that within the coming weeks. Thank you.

Masi. To the principle of the bill.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed?

---Carried

Bill 18 has had its second reading and is now referred to a standing committee. Second reading of bills. Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Bill 6, Cannabis Legalization and Regulations Implementation Act; Minister's Statement 1-18(3), North Slave Correctional Complex Inmate Concerns; Minister's Statement 19-18(3), Aurora College Foundational Review Process; Tabled Document 193-18(3), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2018-2019; Tabled Document 194-18(3), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2018- 2019; and Committee Report 7-18(3), Standing Committee on the Review of Bill 6: Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Implementation Act.