Northwest Territories.

• Author: Knowlan, Jennifer
• Position: Legislative Reports

The fifth session of the 16th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, which began in March 2010, reconvened on October 14, 2010 and took an extended adjournment on November 4, 2010 until February 2, 2011. The main topic of discussion for members was the capital estimates for the 20112012 fiscal year. The fall capital planning process allows for greater efficiencies and maximizes the short spring and summer construction season in the far north.

A number of bills were referred to standing committees, including:

* Bill 14: An Act to Amend the Conflict of Interest Act, which provides that territorial and federal government employees who sit on boards and municipal councils are not automatically in a conflict of interest when a contract or other matter affecting their employer comes before their board or council;

* Bill 15: An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act, which says that the Fire Marshal can carry out a fire prevention order when the owner of a structure cannot be identified; and

* Bill 16: An Act to Amend the Dog Act. This bill clarifies that a dog is in distress if it does not have adequate food, water, shelter, necessary veterinary care or if it is subject to obvious abuse or neglect; allows bylaw and RCMP officers to enter a premises or vehicle and take custody of dogs in distress; makes exceptions for locally accepted or traditional practices; and increases the penalties for offences under the act to a maximum of a $5,000 fine and three months in jail for a single offence, and up to a $10,000 fine and six months in jail for repeat offences.

Other bills before standing committees are:

* Bill 17: An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, which facilitates a child tax benefit that is also applicable for shared custody arrangements, and adjusts the dividend tax credit and deductions for corporations with foreign investment income;

* Bill 18: An Act to Repeal the Settlements Act, which revokes the Settlements Act and makes consequential changes to other acts;

* Bill 19: Municipal Statutes Amendment Act, which amends the Charter Communities Act, the Cities, Towns and Villages Act and the Hamlets Act to clarify the process involved in making bylaw petitions and to establish guidelines for making municipal grants; and

* Bill 20: An Act to Amend the Evidence Act, which would protect evidence on quality assurance committees from being used in court proceedings, and consequently from access to information requests.

Committee Activities

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