Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, honourable Members. Mr. Speaker I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh that Bill 3, Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill is divided into four parts. Part 1 sets out general provisions respecting the electoral districts in the Northwest Territories and the Legislative Assembly and its Members and provides for the indemnities and allowances payable to Members and the expenses for which Members may be reimbursed. It also continues the Management and Services Board as the Legislative Assembly Board of Management and sets out the power and duties of that Board of Management. Further, part 1 sets out general provisions respecting the Speaker and the office of the Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, part 2 provides for the establishment of the Executive Council and the appointments of its Members and the selection of the Premier. It also provides for the appointment of a Deputy Premier and the Ministers of the Executive Government. In addition, part 2 sets out the powers and duties of the Deputy Premier and clarifies the termination date of the terms of office of the Premier, Deputy Premier, Ministers and Members of the Executive Council.

Part 3 requires Members of the Legislative Assembly to avoid any conflict of interest in the performance of their duties and establishes rules governing the conduct of Members where conflict of interest arises. Special requirements apply to the Speaker and to Ministers including restrictions on a former Speaker or Minister contracting with the department for which they were previously responsible. Part 3 further provides for the appointment of a Conflict of Interest Commissioner who will advise Members, review the disclosure statements filed by Members and prepare public disclosure statements and investigate complaints against Members. After an investigation the Conflict of Interest Commissioner may dismiss a complaint or refer to a sole adjudicator for inquiry. The report of a sole adjudicator will be transmitted to the Legislative Assembly for final disposition.

Mr. Speaker, part 4 consequentially amends the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Act, and the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act, to ensure that the terminology used in those acts is consistent with part 1 of this bill.

Finally, the current Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act is repealed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive rule 69(2) and have Bill 3 moved into committee of the whole.

The Chair David Krutko

We are considering in committee of the whole, Bill 1, Bill 5, Bill 2 and Bill 3. I would like to ask what is the wish of the committee? Mr. Dent.

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Mr. Chairman, I would agree with the order in which you have named those bills and we hope that we can proceed with them in that order, 1, 5, 2 and 3.

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you. Does this committee concur?

The Chair David Krutko

Agreed. Thank you. We will deal with Bill 1 after a 15 minute break.

--Break

The Chair David Krutko

I call the committee of the whole to order. We are dealing with Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Public Colleges Act. At this time, I would like to ask the Minister responsible for this bill, Mr. Miltenberger, for any opening comments.

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the amendment being proposed today is relatively minor in terms of actual legislative change, but will provide significant opportunities in the future for northern residents.

At the present time, the Public Colleges Act does not allow Aurora College to issue degrees. This means that Northerners can begin their studies here at home, but must travel south to finish degrees in programs such as nursing, teaching, social work and management studies.

The proposed amendments would allow Aurora College to establish degree programs at the appropriate time. We do not expect to immediately deliver the four year degree programming through the College. Instead, this change will allow the college to undertake the necessary planning to set up degree programs which meet the needs of Northerners and are recognized as on par with other Canadian institutions.

Mr. Chairman, I look forward to answering any questions Members might have about the amendment. Thank you.

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Minister. We are dealing with Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Public Colleges Act. At this time, I would like to ask the chairman of the Government Operations Committee if he has any opening comments in regard to the bill. Mr. Erasmus.