Northwest Territories.

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

October Sitting

On October 11, 2018, Speaker Jackson Lafferty addressed the Assembly to emphasize the importance of language for the culture and heritage of the Northwest Territories. The Speaker advised members of the House and the public that throughout the October sitting, the proceedings would be interpreted in four languages: Tlicho, South Slavey, Chipewyan, and French. The four-week sitting adjourned on November 1, 2018.

Premier Robert R. McLeod also delivered a sessional statement for the continuation of the third session and final year of the 18th Legislative Assembly. The Premier spoke of the completion of 104 of 233 mandate commitments; engagement with the Federal Government on the needs and priorities of Northerners; resource development, and the goals of creating a strong and prosperous sustainable future in the North in partnership with Indigenous governments.

Minister of Finance Robert C. McLeod delivered a fiscal and economic update on October 12, which included a brief summary of the Capital Estimates being considered in the sitting. The government proposed $118 million for highways, $93 million for social infrastructure, $42 million for energy projects, $29 million for community governments, and $62 million in other projects in support of program delivery.

Legislation

Ten bills were introduced during the October sitting. Six bills were referred to their respective committees for review:

* Bill 25: An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act;

* Bill 26: Statistics Act;

* Bill 29: An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act;

* Bill 30: An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act;

* Bill 31: Northwest Territories 9-1-1 Act; and

* Bill 32: Naturopathic Profession Statutes Amendment Act

Five supplementary appropriation acts and one appropriation act received Assent during the October/November sitting, and the following bills also received Assent:

* Bill 24: An Act to Amend the Elections and Plebiscites Act;

* Bill 7: Chartered Professional Accountants Act;

* Bill 8: Emergency Management Act;

* Bill 13: An Act to Amend the Securities Act;

* Bill 14: Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2018;

* Bill 15: Document Formalization, Service and Notice Reform Statute Law Amendment Act;

* Bill 16: An Act to Amend the Social Assistance Act;

* Bill 17: An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act;

* Bill 18: An Act to Amend the Cities, Towns and Villages Act; and

* Bill 20: Ombud Act

Committee Activity

Two substantive Committee Reports were presented during this sitting:

On October 30, 2018 the Standing Committee on Government Operations, chaired by Kieron Testart, presented its Report on the Review of Bill 18: An Act to Amend the Cities, Towns and Villages Act, and its Report on the Review of Bill 20: Ombudsperson Act.

The report on Bill 20 included two recommendations: that the Minister Responsible for Public Engagement and Transparency...