Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
WHEREAS, the term of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly is prescribed by the Northwest Territories Act (Canada);
AND WHEREAS, the Northwest Territories Act stipulates that the term of a Legislative Assembly in the Northwest Territories is four years;
AND WHEREAS, the Constitution Act 1982 provides that the maximum term for the House of Commons and all provincial Legislative Assemblies should not extend beyond five years;
AND WHEREAS, all Legislatures in Canada with the exception of the Northwest Territories and Yukon Legislative Assemblies have a maximum of five years and an election can be called at any time within that time frame;
AND WHEREAS, the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly does not have the power to dissolve itself and call an election without the approval of the Government of Canada;
AND WHEREAS, any Legislature should have a term of office that enables that Legislature to fully implement and carry out its decisions;
AND WHEREAS, a fixed term of four years does not permit an Assembly or government sufficient flexibility to address successfully the concerns of the residents of the Northwest Territories;
AND WHEREAS, the present term of the Legislative Assembly requires an election to be held in mid-winter;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Honourable Member for Hay River, that this Legislative Assembly adopt and recommend that the Executive Council request the Government of Canada to immediately amend the Northwest Territories Act to extend the term of a Legislative Assembly from four years to a period of up to five years; FURTHERMORE, that the amendment also permit the Legislative Assembly to dissolve itself and call a general election at any time within its legislative term.