Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to read a report on draft bills from the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee on Legislation, under the authority given to it by this House, has completed its review of bills tabled in the Legislative Assembly during the third session.
The Standing Committee on Legislation has been established by the 12th Legislative Assembly to review all bills and legislative action papers referred to the committee and to examine orders, regulations and statutory instruments, any matters referred to it by the Legislative Assembly and any other matter of a legislative nature as determined necessary by the standing committee.
During the Third Session of the 12th Legislative Assembly, seven draft bills were tabled by the government and referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation for review by formal motion of the Assembly. A decision was reached to prorogue the third session at the end of the April 1993 sitting in order to comply with the requirements of the federal Northwest Territories Act. There was a likelihood that any bills introduced for first reading late in the session would have died on the order paper upon prorogation, as there was not sufficient time left for the Standing Committee on Legislation public review process. The standing committee held public hearings to review the tabled draft bills in Yellowknife on May 26, 1993 and on September 28, 1993.
The standing committee reviewed the following draft bills tabled by the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi, Minister of Justice: Tabled Document 118-12(3), a proposed act to amend the Partnership Act, tabled March 24, 1993; Tabled Document 131-12(3), a proposed act to amend the Maintenance Act, tabled March 31, 1993; Tabled Document 132-12(3), a proposed act to amend the Domestic Relations Act, tabled March 31, 1993; and, Tabled Document 142-12(3), a proposed Personal Property Security Act.
The standing committee also reviewed the following draft bills tabled by the Honourable Titus Allooloo, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs: Tabled Document 137-12(3), a proposed act to amend the Cities, Towns and Villages Act, tabled April 1, 1993; Tabled Document 138-12(3), a proposed act to amend the Hamlets Act, tabled April 1, 1993; and, Tabled Document 139-12(3), a proposed act to amend the Charter Communities Act, tabled April 1, 1993.
Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee on Legislation would like to thank the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi and the Honourable Titus Allooloo and their department officials for presenting these draft bills and responding to committee Members' questions and concerns.
The standing committee also wishes to extend its appreciation to all those members of the public who appeared as witnesses before the committee or who forwarded written submissions respecting the tabled draft bills. The standing committee has considered these comments carefully and found them to be of great assistance during its deliberations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.