Northwest Territories.

• Author: Rutland, Glen

Session

The second Session of the 19th Legislative Assembly resumed regular sittings on October 15, 2020 following a three-day emergency recall on August 24, 2020. The Assembly sat until November 5, 2020 and will be adjourned until February 3, 2021.

The primary business item for the sitting was passage of the capital budget, Bill 22-19(2) Appropriate Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2021-2022. The 2021-2022 Capital Budget was the largest ever passed by the Legislative Assembly.

The Assembly continued to operate in a modified chamber, allowing all 19 Members to safely distance themselves, respecting proper COVID-19 guidelines. Further protocols such as temperature checks, mandatory mask policies, and the electronic distribution of documents also remain in place.

On October 30, 2020, the Assembly made a number of appointments to the Statutory Officer positions; including the position of Sole Adjudicator, the Information and Privacy Commissioner, and the Executive Director of Human Rights. These appointments are on four-year terms, in accordance with the new Legislative Assembly Officers Standardization Act. On December 11, 2020 the Speaker also made a recommendation for the appointment of a new Official Languages Commissioner. Her appointment is expected to be confirmed by the Assembly in February 2021.

Legislation

During the October - November sitting the following bills received assent:

* 11-19(2) Legislative Assembly Officers Standardization Act

* 15-19(2) Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2020

* 17-19(2) An Act to Amend the Corrections Act

* 18-19(2) An Act to Amend the Legal Profession Act

* 19-19(2) An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act

* 21-19(2) Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020- 2021

* 22-19(2) Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2021-2022

During this sitting the following bills received second reading, and were referred to Standing Committees for further consideration:

* 12-19(2) An Act to Amend the Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupational Certification Act

* 13-19(2) An Act to Amend the Interpretation Act

* 14-19(2) An Act to Amend the Securities Act

* 16-19(2) An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act

* 20-19(2) An Act to Amend the Employment Standards Act

Standing Committees

Standing Committees met regularly throughout the last quarter...