This is page numbers 39 - 61 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 7th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was nunavut.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair John Ningark

On the bill as a whole? Agreed?

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair John Ningark

Okay. Does the committee agree that Bill 8 is ready for third reading?

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Bill 8 is now ready for third reading. Thank you, Mr. Todd, and witness, Mr. Voytilla.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you.

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Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. As we have the recommendation of the Chairman of the Ordinary Members Caucus that we would now deal with Bill 8, as recommended, which everyone agreed to, and Bill 1, Division Measures Act, I believe Mr. Todd will traditionally again have opening remarks for the committee. Mr. Todd.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, the Division Measures Act. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to be here today to present the Division Measures Act, 1999, which amends various acts so that plans and agreements relating to the establishment of Nunavut can be implemented. Many of these amendments are formalities that now need the legal basis to be put in place. As Members will recall, we have already brought forward some division measures legislation. This is the final instalment.

Just to refresh everyone's memories, under Section 76.05 of the Nunavut Act, the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories has the authority to amend or replace the laws of Nunavut before they come into force on April 1, 1999. This authority can only be used on the recommendation of the Interim Commissioner and only after the GNWT consults with the Chairman of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. Representatives from the Office of the Interim Commissioner and NTI worked closely with GNWT staff in the development of these bills in a cooperative and collegial manner and the Interim Commissioner has provided his approval on the Nunavut specific bills in a letter dated March 11, 1999. As well, NTI has been consulted and has provided a letter of support for the Nunavut bills.

Some of the proposed amendments are purely editorial and the rest provide the legal basis to implement changes necessary for the smooth transition to Nunavut and the affirmation of the new Northwest Territories. Mr. Chairman, I will quickly summarize the amendments proposed within this omnibus bill.

In the Electoral Boundaries Act, the date of repeal is moved up from June 30, 1999, to March 31, 1999.

The Flag Act is amended, as is the Floral Emblem Act, so that the flag of the Northwest Territories and the floral emblem for the Northwest Territories do not apply to Nunavut.

The Public Service Act is amended to ensure the smooth transition of GNWT employees whose positions are located in Nunavut over to the Government of Nunavut. Amendments are being proposed through both the Division Measures and the Nunavut Statutes Amendment bills.

Through the Division Measures bill, we are proposing that the Public Service Act be amended to provide that GNWT employees in positions in Nunavut will cease to be members of the Northwest Territories public service as of March 31, 1999. To complete the picture, Nunavut Statutes Amendment bill proposes that the Public Service Act of Nunavut be amended to provide that GNWT employees become members of the Nunavut Public Service on April 1, 1999, with all the terms and conditions of their employment intact. Together, these amendments will provide the legal basis for a seamless transition of those GNWT employees who work within the geographic area of Nunavut over to the Government of Nunavut. It is important to note that we have consulted with the Union of Northern Workers on this legislation. Similar consultation has occurred between the Nunavut Employees Union and the Office of the Interim Commissioner. Both organizations have indicated their willingness to support these amendments.

The amendments to the Commissioner's Land Act and to the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Act are intended to transfer certain interests and obligations respecting lands in Nunavut, both Commissioner's lands and lands where the Housing Corporation has assets and buildings. The interests and obligations, which include title, mortgages, leases, liens, et cetera, will be transferred over to the Commissioner of Nunavut and the Nunavut Housing Corporation, respectively.

The other amendments to the Income Tax Act, Interpretation Act, Statute Revision Act, are of a technical, editorial nature and are very straightforward. These proposed amendments, Mr. Chairman, are part of the final set of legislative changes that we need to make in order to make Nunavut and the new Northwest Territories a reality. Thank you.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair John Ningark

Qujannamiik, Mr. Todd. I believe Mr. Henry, I was informed Mr. Erasmus, but Mr. Henry seems to be indicating that he will make an opening remark on behalf of the Standing Committee on Government Operations. Mr. Henry, do you have a remark to make?

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Government Operations reviewed Bill 1, Division Measures Act, 1999, at its meeting on March 17 and 19, 1999. 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 1 would amend nine acts to carry out preparations for division. Corresponding amendments are being made to the Nunavut version of many of these acts in the Nunavut Statutes Amendment Act, 1999. Amendments to the Flag Act and the Floral Emblem Act ensure that the Northwest Territories flag and emblem will not apply in Nunavut.

The Electoral Boundaries Commission Act will be repealed as of March 31, 1999, as the act is no longer needed. As well, minor amendments are made to the Statute Revision Act, the Interpretation Act and the Income Tax Act. It is amended to ensure that Nunavut businesses and corporations will have simplified tax responsibilities for their first fiscal year in the new territory.

The bill also amends the Commissioner's Land Act and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Act to transfer rights, interests and obligations in land situated in Nunavut to the Nunavut Commissioner and the Nunavut Housing Corporation.

Finally, amendments are made to the Public Service Act to ensure that public service employees in positions that are located in Nunavut will cease to be employees of the Government of the Northwest Territories at division. Corresponding amendments to the Nunavut Public Service Act will ensure that these employees become members of the Nunavut public service under the same terms and conditions of employment with their seniority protected.

Mr. Chairman, one amendment was made to the bill in committee to clarify the intent of the Public Service Act amendments. Otherwise, Members of the standing committee were generally satisfied with the amendments proposed in this bill. Mr. Chairman, this concludes the Standing Committee's comments on Bill 1, Division Measures Act, 1999. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you, Mr. Henry. That brings us to the next level, general comments. Before I allow for general comments, I would like to ask the Minister if he wishes to bring in the witnesses. Mr. Todd.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, yes.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Do we have the concurrence of the committee?

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Proceed, Sergeant-at-Arms. Thank you. Again, for the record, Mr. Todd, will you please introduce the witnesses to the committee.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

March 21st, 1999

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On my immediate left is Shawn Flynn, Legal Legislative Counsel with the Legislative Division, and on my immediate right is the other one and only, Mr. Richard Bargery, assistant deputy minister of the Division Secretariat.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Welcome to the committee. Do we wish to go into general comments? Are there any general comments? Detail. Thank you. Clause by clause, we will stand down. I believe you want to go clause by clause. Agreed?

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. We will stand down clauses and go into schedules. Schedule A, amendment to the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act, item 1. Agreed?

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Page 4. Schedule B, amendment to Flag Act, item 1. Agreed?

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Page 5. Schedule C, amendment to Floral Emblem Act, item 1. Agreed?

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Page 6. Schedule D, amendment to Public Service Act, item 1. Agreed?