Debates of Feb. 16th, 1995
This is page numbers 115 - 148 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 7th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was chairman.
Topics
- Members Present
- Item 1: Prayer
- Minister's Statement 14-12(7): Canada's First Ambassador For Circumpolar Affairs
- Minister's Statement 15-12(7): Portfolio Responsibilities
- Minister's Statement 16-12(7): Justice Ministers' Meeting
- The A Y Jackson Painting Collection
- Birthing Centre In Taloyoak
- Violence And The Justice System
- Absence From The House
- Appointment Of Commissioner Helen Maksagak
- Importance Of Mlas' Liaison With Communities
- Student Residences
- Appointment Of Ambassador Mary Simon
- Cutback Of Glos In Communities
- Treatment Of Jurors
- Methods Of Awarding GNWT Tenders
- Appointment Of Ambassador Mary Simon
- Recognition Of Long-term Health Care Employees
- Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
- Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
- Question 64-12(7): Northerners' Concerns Reflected In Proposed Firearms Legislation
- Question 65-12(7): NWT Residents' Concerns Re Proposed Firearms Legislation
- Question 66-12(7): Annual Registration Fees Under Proposed Firearms Legislation
- Question 67-12(7): Exemptions To Registration Fees In Firearms Legislation
- Question 68-12(7): Public Hearings On Proposed Firearms Legislation In Nwt
- Question 69-12(7): Impact Of Proposed Firearms Legislation On Sport Hunters And Outfitters
- Question 70-12(7): Reason For Absence Of Departmental Officials At Bip Consultation Meetings
- Question 71-12(7): Status Of Birthing Centre For Taloyoak
- Question 72-12(7): New Student Residence Funding Formula
- Question 73-12(7): Minister To Review Awarding Of Drywall Contract
- Question 74-12(7): Letter Of Intent Re Drywall Contract
- Question 75-12(7): Staffing In Student Residence
- Question 76-12(7): Efficient Spending Of Government Funds Re Contracts
- Question 77-12(7): Glo Positions In Communities
- Question 78-12(7): Construction Of Air Terminal In Cape Dorset
- Question 79-12(7): Status Of Grades In Proposed Funding Formula
- Question 80-12(7): Takeover Of Arctic A Airports
- Question 81-12(7): Request For High School In Gjoa Haven
- Question 82-12(7): Glo Positions In Communities
- Question 83-12(7): Location Of Nwtam Annual Meeting
- Question 84-12(7): Funding Shortage For Recreational Facilities In Kitikmeot
- Question 85-12(7): Authority For Holding Plebiscite Re Liquor Restrictions
- Item 10: Petitions
- Committee Report 2-12(7): Report On The Legislative Action Paper On The Office Of The Ombudsman For The Northwest Territories
- Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
- Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
- Bill 3: An Act To Amend The Judicature Act
- Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Maintenance Act
- Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Co-operative Associations Act
- Committee Motion 18-12(7): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 7, Carried
- Committee Motion 19-12(7): To Amend Bill 7, Carried
- Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Apprenticeship And Trade Certification Act
- Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
- Item 22: Orders Of The Day
Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Co-operative Associations Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
February 16th, 1995
Page 141
The Chair John Ningark
Bill 5 is now ready for third reading. We shall move on to Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Co-operative Associations Act. Mr. Kakfwi, if you wish to introduce your bill, you could do it from your seat. Who is it? Oh, somebody else then. I would like to thank the witnesses, a little bit late, for appearing before the committee. I am told it's Mr. John Todd, from Rankin Inlet. Please proceed, Mr. Todd.
Minister's Introductory Remarks
Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Co-operative Associations Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 141
John Todd Keewatin Central
Mr. Chairman, recently the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, introduced legislation in support of changes to the NWT Cooperative Associations Act.
In order to encourage the formation and growth of northern cooperatives, the Cooperative Associations Act requires certain amendments. Our co-ops need to have improved access to capital in order to expand. In addition, procedures need to be put in place that simplify and streamline the set-up and running of cooperatives.
The amendments presented today will enable our cooperatives to raise needed capital by amending their share structure to allow for preferred shareholders while maintaining control at the local level. These amendments will also update the wording of the act and remove administrative processes which have been bureaucratic and redundant.
During the Standing Committee on Legislation's review of these amendments, two motions were made to revise the proposed act. The first motion moved that the Minister of Justice may appoint a registrar of cooperative associations to carry out the duties set out in this act. The second motion moved that the Minister responsible for Economic Development and Tourism may appoint the supervisor of cooperative associations to carry out the duties set out in this act. The department is pleased to support these motions.
Mr. Chairman, these amendments allow the people of the Northwest Territories to have a direct say in their economic future. When the people in our communities are working together, as they do in local cooperatives, many of the problems that they face can be solved locally and in a manner consistent with the desires of the community, itself. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Co-operative Associations Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 142
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you, Mr. Minister. On behalf of the Standing Committee on Legislation which reviewed the bill, I believe Mr. Whitford has some remarks.
Standing Committee On Legislation Comments
Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Co-operative Associations Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 142
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee on Legislation has completed its review of Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Co-operative Associations Act.
Bill 7 proposes to amend the current legislation to provide a mechanism for cooperative associations to increase their capital through the issuing of preferred shares. Nevertheless, Bill 7 is primarily composed of amendments of a housekeeping nature.
Bill 7 would amend the legislation to make more specific the step-by-step procedures that are necessary to: obtain certificates of extra-territorial registration; make or modify association by-laws; amend or alter the associations' memorandum of association; and amalgamate associations.
Bill 7 proposes to provide the Minister with the authority to order an inquiry into the affairs of an association and the authority to order the registrar to dissolve an association or appoint an administrator to an association. Currently, these authorities are granted to the Commissioner.
During the standing committee's public review of the amendments contained in Bill 7, the committee noted that the bill did not include an amendment for the Minister to designate the supervisor position and the registrar position. These appointments are currently made by the Commissioner. Members of the standing committee felt that, for consistency and accountability, the Co-operative Association Act should be amended to allow the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism to appoint incumbents to the positions of registrar and supervisor, respectively.
Therefore, the Standing Committee on Legislation recommends that the Cooperative Associations Act be amended to allow the Minister of Justice to appoint the Registrar of Cooperative Associations and the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism to appoint the Supervisor of Cooperative Associations.
This concludes the Standing Committee on Legislation's report on the review of Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Co-operative Associations Act.
Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Co-operative Associations Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 142
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Whitford, is there a motion? Okay. Before I open the floor for general comments, I would like to ask the honourable Minister, Mr. Todd, if he would like to bring in the witness or witnesses? Mr. Todd.
Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Co-operative Associations Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 142
John Todd Keewatin Central
Yes, please.
Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Co-operative Associations Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 142
The Chair John Ningark
Is it agreed?
Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Co-operative Associations Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 142
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Co-operative Associations Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 142
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Minister, if you recognize the witnesses, could you introduce them to the committee?
Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Co-operative Associations Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 142
John Todd Keewatin Central
Sorry?
Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Co-operative Associations Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 142
The Chair John Ningark
Mr. Todd, if you recognize your witnesses, would you please introduce them to the committee?
---Laughter
Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Co-operative Associations Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 142
John Todd Keewatin Central
On my immediate left, is Ms. Carol Whitehouse, who is legal counsel for the Legislative Assembly; and, to my immediate right, is Gary MacDougall, who is the director of legal registries, Mr. Chairman.
Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Co-operative Associations Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 142
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you very much, Mr. Todd. Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Co-operative Associations Act. General comments from the floor. Shall we go clause by clause?
Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Co-operative Associations Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 142
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Clause By Clause
Qujannamiik. Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Co-operative Associations Act. Clause 1.
Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Co-operative Associations Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 142
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
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