Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Social Development has reviewed Bill 58, Justice Administration Statutes Amendment Act. Committee wishes to report that Bill 58 is now ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole, and Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive rule 75(5) and have Bill 58, Justice Administration Statutes Amendment Act, moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. The Member is seeking unanimous consent to waive rule 75(5) and have Bill 54, Justice Administration Statutes Amendment Act, moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration later today.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to be here today to discuss Bill 58: Justice Administration Statutes Amendment Act. This bill proposes to make targeted and necessary legislative amendments to acts that support the justice system in the Northwest Territories.
This bill amends various statutes administered by the Department of Justice to:
repeal provisions of An Act to Amend the Children's Law Act and amend the Children's Law Act to establish a recalculation service;
amend the Coroners Act to clarify the responsibilities of the Chief Coroner and coroners in respect of inquests and authorize the release of the body of the deceased if an investigation is complete;
amend the Evidence Act to add provisions in respect of the admissibility of electronic records, and repeal provisions that allow the court to refuse to admit photographic film prints into evidence;
add an updated definition for "prime rate" to the provisions of the Judicature Act relating to prejudgment and post-judgment interest;
add a reference in the Jury Act to exemptions from jury service contained in the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act;
increase fee rates in respect of the registration of certain instruments and caveats under the Land Titles Act;
amend the Public Trustee Act to establish a mechanism for the disposition of unclaimed property;
amend the Residential Tenancies Act to provide for the appointment of a chief rental officer, adjust provisions relating to service and the giving of reasons, and allow regulations to be made in respect of fees for services provided; and
amend the Retirement Plan Beneficiaries Act to provide for the discharge of the administrator of a plan.
Overall, this bill contains a number of measures to improve access to justice and service delivery, which the government believes will significantly assist residents of the Northwest Territories.
Of particular note, the changes to the Children's Law Act will improve the process for recalculating support order amounts payable under both that act and the federal Divorce Act. This will make it easier for parents to obtain changes in the amounts payable under support orders to better reflect current circumstances. These amendments will allow the government to implement this long-awaited service by the end of 2019.
In addition, the proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will help address the processing times for orders. Members of this Assembly and the public have stated many times that the timelines faced by those relying on the hearing process set out in legislation are too long. Contributing to the delays are certain requirements set out in the existing legislation, including the requirement to provide written reasons for every order.
I would be pleased to answer any questions that Members may have regarding Bill 58. Thank you.
All those abstaining, please rise. The results of the recorded vote: 12 in favour, three opposed. Clause 7 stands.
---Carried
Clause 8.
---Clauses 8 through 11 inclusive approved
Committee, I will return to the bill title and number. Bill 58: Justice Administration Statutes Amendment Act. Does committee agree?
Thank you, committee. To the bill as a whole, does committee agree that Bill 58: Justice Administration Statutes Amendment Act is ready for a third reading?
