Nunavut (legislative report).

• Author: Baldwin, Alex

Helen Maksagak, Commissioner of Nunavut, opened the Second Session of the new territory's Legislative Assembly on May 12, held at Iqaluit's Anglican Parish Hall. This Session was the last to be held prior to the autumn of this year, when the Assembly takes up residence in its new building, located in the heart of Iqaluit.

The Commissioner's Address that opened the Session outlined a number of the new government's priorities. Among the highlights were:

* A commitment to establishing a single time zone for Nunavut;

* Confirmation that Inuktitut will be the working language of Cabinet;

* The phasing-out of regional health and education boards;

* Establishment of a Law Review Commission

Kelvin Ng, Minister of Finance and Administration, delivered the Budget Address on Friday, May 14. Wearing a newly-made pair of traditional caribou kamiks (boots), Mr. Ng presented a balanced budget that envisions total 1999-2000 expenditures (including contingency reserve) of $610,107,000. The Appropriation Act, 1999-2000, was given first reading on the same day.

Being primarily a budget session, a significant amount of Members' time (including one Saturday sitting) was spent reviewing the main estimates in Committee of the Whole. All Ministers and their Deputies defended their departmental estimates before the House. The issue of government decentralization was a frequent topic of discussion during the Session.

Legislation

Since the creation of Nunavut on April 1, a total of four Bills have been passed and given Assent. On April 1, the Flag of Nunavut Act was passed. During the Second Session, three Bills were dealt with:

* Appropriation Act, 1999-2000;

* Boards of Management Dissolution Act; and

* Divisional Education Councils Dissolution Act

Sessional Statistics

The Second Session commenced on May 12, and prorogued on June 3. Some statistics of note include:

* 17 sitting days held (total of 71.5 sitting hours);

* 33 Ministers' Statements;

* 103 Members' Statements;

* 202...