Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that Bill 48: Arbitration Act, be read for the second time.

The bill repeals and replaces the existing Arbitration Act. The bill is based substantially on the Uniformed Arbitration Act adopted in 2016 by the Uniformed Law Conference Of Canada. The bill provides extensive and necessary updates to the law governing arbitration in the Northwest Territories, including provisions respecting:

• The commencement and consolidation of arbitral proceedings;
• The composition of arbitral tribunals and the appointment and removal of arbitrators;
• The jurisdiction of arbitral tribunals;
• The matters of evidence and procedure including the issuance of subpoenas and the giving of evidence by experts and other witnesses;
• The granting of enforcement and interim measures and preliminary orders;
• The making of arbitral awards and the awarding of costs;
• The termination of arbitral proceedings;
• The enforcement of arbitral awards including awards made in other jurisdictions in Canada;
• Recourse against arbitral awards including appeals; and
• The confidentiality of arbitral proceedings.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Pursuant to Rule 8.2(3), Bill 48, Arbitration Act has been presented, deemed read for the first time, and is ready for second reading.

First reading of bills. Second reading of bills. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Bill 23, Bill 29; Minister's Statement 202-19(2); Tabled Document 561-19(2), Tabled Document 567-19(2).

By the authority given to me by Motion 1-19(2), I hereby authorize the House to sit beyond the daily hour of adjournment to consider the business before the house, with Member for Hay River South in the chair.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present to the House Bill 48, Arbitration Act, to be read for the first time. Thank you.