Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the purpose of this bill is to amend the Plebiscite Act to lower the age at which a resident may vote at a plebiscite, from 19 to 18 years. Mr. Chairman, this amendment was also a result of direction given to the cabinet by Motion 31-12(1) which adopted that the voting age at a plebiscite in the Northwest Territories be changed from 19 to 18 years of age. This motion was adopted unanimously by the Assembly, and it also requested that the cabinet introduce the necessary amendments to the two previous bills.

Mr. Chairman, since the act was being amended, and on the advice and request of the chief plebiscite officer, it had been noticed during his preparation for the May 4 plebiscite, that there was a need to make two other amendments. The first amendment is to give power to the chief plebiscite officer to adapt the regulation for certain circumstances. The other amendment is to set out when a voter may be required to take an oath. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.