Bill 22 is now ready for third reading as amended. I would like to thank the Minister and his witnesses. Sergeant-at-Arms, can you escort the witnesses out?

The next item we agreed to deal with was Bill 23, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2002. At this time I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the bill if he had any comments. Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I do. The purpose of Bill 23, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2002, is to amend various statutes of the Northwest Territories for which minor changes are proposed or in which errors or inconsistencies have been identified and brought to the attention of the Department of Justice by other departments and by Department of Justice staff.

Departments responsible for the administration of the various statutes being amended by Bill 23 have each reviewed and approved the changes to the statutes under their authority.

Most changes proposed in Bill 23 are minor in nature and many consist of technical corrections to either the English or French version of a statute.

Other changes have the effect of repealing certain provisions of the statutes that have expired, lapsed or otherwise ceased to exist.

The amendments are of such a nature that the preparation and legislative consideration of individual bills to correct each statute would be time consuming for the government and the Legislative Assembly.

In order for an amendment to be included in the bill, it had to meet the following criteria:

1. (a) it must not be controversial;
2. (b) it must not involve the spending of public funds;
3. (c) it must not prejudicially affect the rights of persons; and
4. (d) it must not create a new offence or subject a new class of persons to an existing offence.

Mr. Chairman, in our view the amendments proposed in Bill 23 meet those criteria. I will be pleased to answer any questions the committee may have. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Allen. At this time I would like to ask the committee responsible for reviewing the bill if they have any comments. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight met on Monday, October 28, 2002 to review Bill 23, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act. As the Minister has noted this act makes minor amendments to a number of statutes.

Committee members asked for clarification of the intent of clause 11 which amends the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Act and the Minister's staff advised that this clause is intended to make the act consistent so that it is clear that the president of the Housing Corporation is a member of the public service.

Committee members also asked for the intent of clarification in clause 14 which amends the Young Offenders Act. The Minister's staff advised that this amendment will make the act consistent with the federal Young Offenders Act and will allow the Minister to continue to make appointments to youth justice committees in terms that are in keeping with the wishes of communities.

During review of the bill with the Minister the committee and the Minister agreed to an amendment to the bill. This amendment will amend the Marriage Act to allow the fees for marriage licenses to be set in regulations rather than in the act itself.

Mr. Chairman, individual committee members may have questions or comments as we proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. At this time I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the bill if he will be bringing in any witnesses.

Yes, I will.

Does committee agree?

Sergeant-at-Arms, can you escort the witnesses in?

Mr. Minister, please introduce your witness for the record.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to introduce Mr. Mark Aitken, director of legislation, Department of Justice.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Welcome witness. General comments on Bill 23. Detail. Clause by clause. Clause 1.

Clause 2.

Clause 3.

Clause 4.

Clause 5.

Clause 6.

Clause 7.