Thank you, Madam Chair. The Special Committee on Nunavut Legislation reviewed Bill 2, the Nunavut Statutes Amendment Act, 1999, at its meeting on March 17, 1999.
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 2 amends the Nunavut version of 11 acts that will be duplicated for Nunavut. The amendments will come into force April 1, 1999. Corresponding amendments to several of these acts are being made in the Division Measures Act, 1999, and the Legal Registries Division Measures Act, 1999.
Madam Chair, this bill amends the Public Service Act to ensure that GNWT employees, whose positions are located in Nunavut at division will become members of the Nunavut public service under the same terms and conditions of employment and with their seniority protected.
As well, amendments are made to the Interpretation Act to provide for the continuation of appointments of public officers in Nunavut after division.
The Union of Northern Workers Act is amended for Nunavut to rename it the Nunavut Employees Union Act and to change other references to reflect the new union. Minor amendments are made to the Children's Law Act and the Workers' Compensation Act, and the Business Corporation Act and the Document Registry Act are amended to reflect the fact that a single document registry system will be used in both territories until a new registry system is put in place under the Personal Property Security Acts for both territories.
The bill also amends the Income Tax Act to ensure that Nunavut businesses and corporations will have simplified tax responsibilities for their first fiscal year in the new territory. Amendments are also made to the Commissioner's Land Act and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Act duplicated for Nunavut to recognize the transfer of rights, interest and obligations in land situated in Nunavut from the Northwest Territories Commissioner and the western Housing Corporation.
Finally, the Legal Profession Act will be amended to provide for the transitional executive for the first Nunavut Law Society, and to provide for temporary certificates to be issued to allow current members of the Northwest Territories Law Society to practise in Nunavut until May 31, 1999, before joining the Nunavut Law Society.
This concludes the Special Committee's comments on Bill 2, the Nunavut Statues Amendment Act, 1999. Thank you, Madam Chair.