Good afternoon, Madam Chair.
The Eligibility of Land Claims Officials to Run as Candidates.
Currently, the government can provide leave without pay to allow people to run for office. According to the Chief Electoral Officer, the NWT Elections Act currently does not have a provision allowing an organization to give the same consideration to its staff.
During the last election, some individuals had decided to either resign from seats on land claim boards or not run. The electoral system should not knowingly deny opportunities to 1 potential candidate over another.
Recommendation 8
I move that this Committee recommends that sections 51(3) and (4) of the NWT Elections Act be amended to ensure consistency with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.