Thank you, Madam Chairperson. The Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development reviewed Bill 19, An Act to amend the Public Highways Act and the Motor Vehicles Act, at its meeting on December 3, 1998. The committee would like to thank the Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Henry, for presenting the bill and responding to issues and questions raised by the committee. As it is now, the maximum speed limit in the Northwest Territories, is 90 kilometres an hour on all primary highways. This bill will remove the limit on the maximum speed limit on highways outside municipalities and primary highways within the municipalities that may be established by the Commissioner in the Public Highways Act or by the municipal council in the Motor Vehicles Act. In other jurisdictions, the Minister of Transportation and the municipal council had the authority to increase the speed limits if needed to. Generally, there are no restrictions placed on the maximum speed limit that may be set by the Commissioner, Minister or council.
This bill does not automatically mean that all speed limits would be increased. It will, however, give the Commissioner or the municipal council the authority to make this decision on primary highways, for example, the highway from Fort Rae to Fort Providence meets the criteria, the speed limit could be increased from 90 to 100 kilometres per hour.
Bill 19 will be consistent with other jurisdictions and would allow for flexibility to increase the maximum speed limit. On certain sections of the highway in the Northwest Territories will remain 90 kilometres an hour or 50 kilometres an hour in municipalities, unless otherwise posted in the Northwest Territories.
Madam Chairperson, the members of the standing committee are satisfied with the amendment proposed in this bill. Individual Members of the committee may have comments to make on this particular matter. The standing committee recommends, on Bill 19, An Act to Amend the Public Highways Act and Motor Vehicles Act. Thank you, Madam Chairperson.