Northwest Territories.

• Author: O'Neill, Danielle
• Position: Legislative Report

The Fourth Session of the 16th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories which began in mid October reconvened on January 27, 2010 for the six-week budget session. Bills that received assent in the fall included Bill 1: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products Tax Act, which replaced the defined term "motor vehicle" with the new defined term "mobile machine", and provided for application and commencement matters.

Bills that are currently under consideration include Bill 2: Forgiveness of Debts Act, 20092010, which authorizes the forgiveness of debts owed to the Government and public agencies. Also under consideration is Bill 4: An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act, which makes minor changes to the Act and is separate from a major review of the Child and Family Services Act which is now underway. Bill 7: An Act to Amend the Summary Conviction Procedures Act, which provides that a justice may enter a conviction and impose the specified penalty when a person fails to pay or appear is also in the mix. The maximum fine for failing to appear is increased, and other minor amendments are made.

Bills that are still before standing committees include Bill 3: Medical Profession Act, which modernizes the processes for the registration and discipline of medical practitioners in the Northwest Territories, as well as Bill 5: An Act to Amend the Commissioner's Land Act, which requires posting of security on a lease of Commissioner's land for a commercial or industrial use.

Committee Activities

The Standing Committee on Social Programs, chaired by Tom Beaulieu, MLA Tu Nedhe, has been tasked by the

Legislative Assembly to conduct an extensive review of the Child and Family Services Act. The Child and Family Services Act was first introduced in 1998 and although minor changes to the Act have been effected over the years, the Assembly identified a strong need to undertake a comprehensive review of the governing legislation and associated program delivery. The Committee will be holding public meetings throughout the Northwest Territories in April 2010 to consult with individuals, communities and stakeholders. The Committee plans to table its final report on the Review of the Child and Family Services Act during the 2010 fall session of the 16th Assembly.

New Initiatives

The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Paul Delorey, has introduced a number of initiatives to the Legislative Assembly in an effort to "lead by example". One of these...