Thank you, Madam Chairperson.
The Special Committee on Nunavut Legislation reviewed Bill 16, the Nunavut Statutes Replacement Act, at its meetings on November 23 and 26, 1998.
The committee would like to thank the Honourable Goo Arlooktoo and his officials for presenting the bill and responding to issues raised by the Committee.
Bill 16 enacts five replacement laws for Nunavut. These acts will be substituted for the NWT laws that would otherwise be duplicated for Nunavut. The amendments will come into force April 1, 1999.
These amendments are 'partnered' with amendments to NWT statutes contained in Bill 17, Division Measures Act. Together, the two bills ensure that existing professional associations may continue to regulate their professions and discipline members in both the NWT and Nunavut after Division.
The NWT has the legislative authority to replace laws for Nunavut under section 76.05 of the Nunavut Act. However, as Members know, the NWT may only do this on the recommendation of the Interim Commissioner of Nunavut after consulting with NTI. The OIC has recommended this bill to the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly and NTI has confirmed that it was consulted with respect to the bill and the bill is appropriate for Nunavut.
Madam Chairperson, under this bill and Bill 17, the professional associations may choose to divide at any time and the assets and liabilities at that time will be divided as set out in Bill 17 unless the Nunavut members and NWT members agree otherwise. Generally, the division of assets and liabilities will be based on the ratio of members in each territory.
This bill also duplicates provisions in the Northwest Territories acts that protect the use of the designations or acronyms of the professions.
Madam Chairperson, the standing committee was generally satisfied that the replacement acts proposed in this bill are appropriate for Nunavut.
Madam Chairperson, members of the committee may have additional comments on the bill as we proceed.
This concludes the special committee's comments on Bill 16, Nunavut Statutes Replacement Act.
Thank you, Madam Chairperson.
