Nunavut.

• Author: Baldwin, Alex
• Position: Legislative Reports

House Proceedings

The winter 2020 sitting of the 2nd Session of the 5th Legislative Assembly convened on February 18, 2020, and concluded on March 12, 2020. The proceedings of the Committee of the Whole during the winter 2020 sitting were dominated by the consideration of the government's proposed 2020-2021 main estimates. Five bills received Assent during the winter 2020 sitting:

* Bill 39, Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2020-2021;

* Bill 40, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2019-2020;

* Bill 41, An Act to Amend the Guardianship and Trusteeship Act;

* Bill 42, An Act to Amend the Cannabis Act; and

* Bill 43, An Act to Amend the Cannabis Act Respecting Consultation Periods.

New Speaker of the Legislative Assembly

On February 24, 2020, Speaker Simeon Mikkungwak announced his decision to resign his seat as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the constituency of Baker Lake. In his announcement, Mr. Mikkungwak reflected on the importance of focusing on the needs of his family.

The Nunavut Leadership Forum, which consists of all Members of the Legislative Assembly, gathered on the morning of February 26, 2020, to select a new Speaker. Two Members accepted nominations. Aggu MLA Paul Quassa was declared elected following one round of balloting. Mr. Quassa was subsequently dragged to the Chair following the passage of a formal motion of appointment when the House convened that afternoon.

On March 5, 2020, the date of the Baker Lake by-election was announced for April 27, 2020.

Appointment of Languages Commissioner

On February 18, 2020, the Legislative Assembly unanimously adopted a motion to recommend the appointment of Karliin Aariak as Languages Commissioner of Nunavut.

Resignation of the Member for Kugluktuk

On March 31, 2020, Kugluktuk MLA Mila Kamingoak declared, by way of correspondence to the Speaker, her decision, for personal reasons, to resign her seat as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, effective April 3, 2020. The by-election is scheduled be held on August 24, 2020.

Impact of COVID-19 (as of April 16, 2020)

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