Agreed.

Agreed.

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. I am pleased to be here today to review the Division Measures Act, No. 2.

Similar to the provisions in the first Division Measures Act, the primary purpose of this bill is to address any legislative consequences that arise with the division of the NWT on April 1, 1999. I want to, if I may, Madam Chairperson, go through some of these amendments.

The Psychologists Act has been amended to remove an obsolete reference to the nomination of the Association of Psychologists of the NWT as the association responsible for the registration and discipline of members in the territories. In addition, it allows the Minister to designate another person or body to perform the duties of the association in the event that the association ceases to operate. This will facilitate the recognition of the association under the Psychologists Act of Nunavut.

Amendments to the Legal Services Act have been drafted to permit the Minister to appoint additional members to the Legal Services Board. This will permit the Minister to appoint representatives of the regional committees in Nunavut to the board. The Minister has also provided the authority to enter into agreements with the Interim Commissioner or the Government of Nunavut for the provision of legal services and for the division of assets and liabilities of the Legal Services Board.

Amendments to the Labour Standards Act, Maintenance Orders (Facilities for Enforcement) Act, and the Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgements Act can be broadly grouped together. Changes to these acts have been drafted to ensure that any judgements, orders, certificates that may be issued by either Nunavut or the NWT, can ultimately be enforced in the other territory.

In conclusion, Madam Chairperson, I want to thank the Department of Justice and the Psychologists Association of the Northwest Territories for the work that has been done in the development of this legislation. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. The Standing Committee on Government Operations reviewed Bill 20, Division Measures Act, No. 2, at its meeting on December 7, 1998. The committee would like to thank the Honourable John Todd and his officials for presenting the bill and responding to issues raised by the committee. Bill 20 would amend five acts to carry out preparations for division. Amendments to the Labour Standards Act, the Maintenance Orders (Facilities for Enforcement) Act, and the Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgements Acts will allow Nunavut to make arrangements with other provinces, territories and countries, including the Northwest Territories, so that one jurisdiction may enforce orders made in another jurisdiction.

As well, amendments are made to the Psychologists Act and the Legal Services Act that correspond with amendments made to the Nunavut version of those acts under Bill 21, the Nunavut Statutes Amendment Act, No. 2. Together, the two bills will allow the Association of Psychologists of the Northwest Territories to carry out responsibilities in both territories. The two bills will also allow agreements to be made between the two territories so that the Legal Services Board may administer the Legal Services Act in Nunavut after division. The agreement will also set out how the assets and liabilities of the board will be divided on termination of the agreement. As well, under this bill, the Minister is given the power to appoint such additional members of the Legal Services Board as he or she considers necessary. Madam Chairperson, members of the standing committee were generally satisfied with the amendments proposed in the bill. This concludes the standing committee's comments on Bill 20, The Division Measures Act, No. 2. Thank you, Madam Chairperson.

Yes, thank you, Madam Chairperson. I have with me on my immediate right, the ever present, Mr. Mark Aitken who is with the Department of Justice.

Clause by clause.

Agreed.

Agreed.

Agreed.

Agreed.

Agreed.