Northwest Territories.

• Author: Franki-Smith, Jennifer
• Position: Legislative Reports

The Second Session of 18th Legislative Assembly reconvened on September 19, 2017. Premier Robert R. McLeod delivered a sessional statement which highlighted the government's Mandate successes over the first two years of its term, including protection of the environment, growing demand for natural resources and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

On September 19, Finance Minister Robert C. McLeod tabled the capital estimates for the fiscal year 2018-19. The following day he delivered a fiscal update, summarizing the infrastructure projects which the Government of the Northwest Territories has deemed a priority for the coming year. These estimates were considered in Committee of the Whole from September 25-28. On September 28, the Finance Minister made a statement in Committee of the Whole reflecting on the recommendations of Members with regard to the capital budget and committing an additional $1,255 million to advance projects associated with the implementation of junior kindergarten in 2018-2019.

On October 4, 2017 newly-appointed Commissioner Margaret M. Thom entered the Chamber and gave assent to bills and prorogued the Second Session.

Legislation

During the final sitting of the Second Session the following legislation was considered:

* Bill 24: An Act to Amend the Coroners Act, which allows for the assembly of a jury panel from which an inquest jury may be selected, outlines procedures for selecting jurors from a jury panel, allows for persons to be excused from jury service in certain circumstances, allows the Chief Coroner to create rules of procedure, and improves clarity and readability of certain provisions.

* Bill 25: An Act to Amend the Residential Tenancies Act which adjusts the definition of tenant, provides authority to rental officers to correct minor errors in decisions, orders and decisions of rental officers must be filed in accordance with regulations, and addresses inconsistencies and improve clarity and readability of provisions.

* Bill 27: An Act to Amend the Environmental Protection Act which makes several amendments to the Environmental Protection Act, including provisions for the creation of air quality regulations.

* Bill 28: Interpretation Act which sets out fundamental concepts governing all territorial statutes.

* Bill 29: Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2017 which corrects inconsistencies and errors in the statutes of the Northwest Territories. The bill also deals with other matters of...