Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I do. Mr. Chairman, it gives me great pleasure to begin Committee of the Whole review of Bill 25, Municipal Statutes Replacement Act, an act that will fundamentally change and improve the way municipal governments in the Northwest Territories govern. This bill modernizes the Cities, Towns and Villages Act, the Hamlets Act and the Charter Communities Act. As many Members are aware, this bill has been under development for several years, time that was used to consult closely with community leaders and representatives, and ensure that this bill meets the needs of municipal governments across the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Chairman, the overall intent of this bill is to provide municipal governments with a legislative framework that describes in broad strokes their roles and responsibilities. We wanted to move away from the current prescriptive list of duties and powers in order to provide municipal governments with the tools they need to effectively address current issues and plan for the ongoing evolution of government in the Northwest Territories. These amendments respond to request for change from Northwest Territories municipal governments and will put into place modern municipal governance legislation that is consistent with that in other jurisdictions across Canada.
Some highlights of this bill include:
- • a new section setting out the purpose of municipal corporations;
- • broader bylaw-making powers by using "spheres of jurisdiction;"
- • limitations on municipal liability for certain matters and activities, such as public utilities and roads;
- • simpler requirements for financial statements; and,
- • increased accountabilities to residents.
Mr. Chairman, the Charter Communities Act, the Hamlets Act and the Cities, Towns and Villages Act are very similar to each other. People have noted that the three settlements in the Northwest Territories are not included as the legislation governing them, the Settlements Act, is not in this package. Mr. Chairman, the Settlements Act is a very different piece of legislation. For example, settlements do not have bylaw-making powers, unlike other municipal governments. Because of this difference, combined with the shortness of time and the limited resources available, it was decided to complete the Settlements Act after the other three acts had been drafted. Mr. Chairman, I want to take this opportunity to assure the Members that work is well underway, but because the Settlements Act is based on a fundamentally different system of governance, drafting on it began after the work on the legislation for cities, towns and villages, hamlets and charter communities, which are all very similar. However, Mr. Chairman, I am confident that comprehensive amendments to the Settlements Act will be ready for consideration by Members of the 15th Legislative Assembly as they determine their legislative agenda.
Mr. Chairman, we consulted regularly on this legislation, particularly with municipal governments, the Northwest Territories Association of Communities and the Local Government Administrators of the Northwest Territories, the organization which represents senior administrative officers. Throughout these consultations, one theme came out very clearly: municipal governments want this legislation because it provides them with the tools they need to face the opportunities and challenges coming in our future. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.