Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, later today I will be tabling two reports of the Municipal Legislation Review Committee, "Empowerment Through Community Government Legislation - Nunavut and the Western NWT".

Over the past three years, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has been working in partnership with the NWT Association of Municipalities on a review of municipal legislation. This review was undertaken to improve the legislation so that community governments can better serve their residents.

Since the review began, this Assembly has passed three bills which brought about much needed changes to the legislation. In addition to the amendments that were made last year, the Municipal Legislation Review Committee has recommended substantial rewrites of the Charter Communities Act; the Cities, Towns and Villages Act; the Hamlets Act; and the Settlements Act. The committee has recommended further amendments to the Local Authorities Elections Act and the Property Assessment and Taxation Act. A legislative proposal based on these recommendations was considered by Cabinet and the Standing Committee on Infrastructure earlier this year.

With only a few months remaining until the creation of two new territories, this Assembly would not have had enough time to give full and proper consideration to such important and complex legislation. As a result, the government decided not to proceed with the drafting of a bill.

However, to ensure that the recommendations and proposals of the review committee are available to be considered by the governments of the two new territories, the committee has produced a record of its work in the form of this report entitled, "Empowerment Through Community Government Legislation". This report includes detailed drafting instructions that will assist the governments of the two new territories to undertake further consultation, or to quickly prepare bills to implement the recommendations as they see fit.

Mr. Speaker, communities across the north have asked for more flexible legislation. Modern legislation should recognize that communities are unique, and should allow for differences in how they set their priorities and tackle issues of concern. New legislation is needed to make it easier for communities to make the best use of their human and financial resources. At the same time, there is a need to build in safeguards to ensure the territorial government can still identify and assist communities in difficulty. Where possible, the legislation should be made easier to use and understand. The review committee's recommendations and proposals are addressing exactly these things.

I would like to congratulate the review committee on an excellent job, and thank them for their dedication and commitment to this ambitious project. I would like to especially recognize the contributions of NWTAM President, George Roach, and former NWTAM President, Dennis Bevington. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased with the accomplishments we have made so far. I strongly believe the recommendations and proposals in the review committee's report can provide a solid foundation for the future of communities and their residents in both new territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause