Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is An Act to Amend the Judicature Act, No. 2.

The proposed amendment clarifies that the rules of the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories govern proceedings before the court by repealing the reference to the rules of the Alberta Supreme Court. Since the Northwest Territories Rules of Court have been in use for many years, there is no need to refer to the rules of the Supreme Court of Alberta.

Additionally, this proposed amendment transfers to the Commissioner from the Supreme Court, the power to make regulations setting tariffs of fees and expenses in civil and criminal matters.

Finally, this proposed amendment establishes the office of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories. Currently, there is a senior justice who manages the court. The Judicature Act provides that the court is composed of four judges, deputy judges and supernumerary judges. The size of the court justifies the need for a Chief Justice. Those are my opening remarks.