Nunavut.

• Author: Baldwin, Alex

House Proceedings

On September 10, 2019, Speaker Simeon Mikkungwak announced the recall of the House for a special one-day sitting, which was held on September 17, 2019. The purpose of the sitting was to consider amendments to the Nunavut Elections Act in advance of territory-wide municipal elections, which were held on October 28, 2019. The amendments clarified the ability of employees of the territorial public service to stand for office. The 2019 municipal elections were the first municipal elections to be administered by Elections Nunavut since the passage in 2017 of legislation to bring them under the authority of the Nunavut Elections Act.

The fall 2019 sitting of the 2nd Session of the 5th Legislative Assembly convened on October 17, 2019, and concluded on November 7, 2019. The proceedings of the Committee of the Whole during the fall 2019 sitting were dominated by the consideration of the government's proposed 2020-2021 capital estimates. Nine bills received Assent during the fall 2019 sitting:

* Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act;

* Bill 26, An Act to Amend the Income Tax;

* Bill 29, An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act and the Interpretation Act with Respect to Nunavut Day,

* Bill 30, Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2020-2021;

* Bill 31, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2019-2020;

* Bill 32, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2019-2020;

* Bill 33, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2018-2019;

* Bill 34, Write-Off of Assets Act, 2018-2019; and

* Bill 38, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act and the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act.

Bill 38 implemented recommendations of the 2019 Independent Commission to Review Members' Indemnities, Allowances, Expenses and Benefits. The Commission's final report had previously been tabled in the House by Speaker Mikkungwak on May 28, 2019.

The winter 2020 sitting is scheduled to convene on February 18, 2020.

Tununiq By-Election

A by-election for the constituency of Tununiq was held on September 16, 2019. The by-election was necessitated by the March 29, 2019, passing of former Member Joe Enook. Two candidates stood in the by election. Member-Elect David Qamaniq's swearingin ceremony was held on the morning of October 17, 2019, and he took his seat that afternoon for the commencement of the Legislative Assembly's fall sitting.

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