Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Welcome back. Mr. Speaker, later today I will be tabling proposed amendments to the Cities, Towns and Villages Act, the Hamlets Act, and the Charter Communities Act. These proposed changes, along with the amendments to the Settlements Act which are still under development, will modernize the legislation governing municipal governments in the NWT.

The process leading up to these proposed amendments began in 1995 when my department, in partnership with the Northwest Territories Association of Municipalities, initiated the municipal legislation review. Phase one of this review was completed in 1997 and led to several housekeeping amendments to fix specific problems with the existing municipal legislation and also the Property Assessment and Taxation Act.

Mr. Speaker, phase two of this process began in 1997 with the circulation to all community governments of the discussion paper Empowerment Through Community Government Legislation. This paper was intended to facilitate discussion of comprehensive issues within municipal legislation. The paper stimulated a great deal of discussion during subsequent consultations over the course of the following two years. The proposed amendments I will be tabling later today are the direct result of this process.

Highlights of these proposed amendments include:

• • broader bylaw-making powers for local governments;
• • limits on municipal liability for certain matters and activities;
• • greater ability of councils to set their own rules for procedure;
• • simplification of the financial reporting requirements;
• • expanded corporate powers including expanded borrowing abilities; and
• • increased ability for municipalities to enter into agreements with government bodies other than the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to highlight the fact that these documents are still drafts as consultation and development continue. Just recently, officials from MACA met with representatives of the local government administrators of the Northwest Territories for a day-long technical review and comment session. This session was extremely productive and may result in a number of possible further amendments to this proposed legislation.

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, amendments to the Settlements Act are still under development and I anticipate that all four municipal governance bills will be ready for introduction to the Legislative Assembly in June 2003. Tabling this proposed legislation now provides us with the opportunity for informal consultation and input on this important legislation prior to introduction. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.